Antonio Pierce’s meteoric rise was almost as quick as his fall. He was very impressive as the interim head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, which led to him earning the full-time job.
However, his first full season in the position didn’t go well. The Raiders finished last year with a 4-13 record, and Pierce was fired.
While he failed as a head coach, Pierce showed real promise as a linebackers coach and could potentially have a future as a head coach with more experience. Despite that, he hasn’t landed with a new team this offseason.
He won’t be coaching in 2025, but he’s still planning to stay close to the NFL. Pierce announced on his social media that he’s joining CBS Sports’ NFL Today crew to cover the league.
This isn’t his first job in media. Prior to getting into coaching, Pierce had spent some time working for ESPN, so this should be an easy transition for him.
Now that he’s had experience as a head coach at the highest level, he should have even greater insight. It’ll be interesting to see if he decides to keep pursuing media going forward or if he plans to get back into coaching in the near future.
Tom Brady Praises Pete Carroll
If it weren’t for Tom Brady joining the Raiders’ ownership this offseason, Pierce may still be the team’s head coach. However, he wanted a fresh start, and that’s how the team ended up hiring Pete Carroll.
While Pierce could still have a future as a head coach, Carroll is a Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer. Brady recently had a lot of good things to say about Carroll.
“There is definitely good players,” Brady told Pro Football Focus. “And they have proven through the offseason, there is a big commitment those players have made. And I think Pete has done a really tremendous job. Like a lot of coaches with veteran experience are able to do. They run a real program. Nothing really surprises them. Pete has had a tremendous record of success when he was at Seattle and USC. He is a tremendous coach and leader.
“There is a division where you have got Andy Reid, who is very much the same. Jim Harbaugh has done an incredible job. Sean Payton, we all know the kind of coach he is. I think the Raiders having a figurehead like that in that position gives them a great chance to complete.”
Carroll Earning High Marks From Players
The thing Pierce had going for him was that the players loved him. However, being a head coach goes far beyond getting the players on your side.
Carroll has always had the respect of his players, but he also knows how to handle all the other little problems that come with being a head coach. Tight end Michael Mayer has already become a huge fan of the coach.
“I can’t get enough of him,” Mayer said, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I want to listen to him talk and give motivational speeches all damn day long.”
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