Antonio Pierce, a former NFL player and Super Bowl Champion, has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Pierce, who previously served as the team’s linebackers coach, took over as the Interim Head Coach in October 2023 and led the Raiders to a 5-4 record in nine games.
During his tenure as Interim Head Coach, Pierce achieved notable successes. The Raiders secured a 3-1 record against AFC West opponents, including a remarkable Week 15 victory over the Chargers where they scored a franchise-record 63 points. Additionally, Pierce guided the team to score 20 or more points in each of their last four regular-season games, making them one of only three NFL teams to achieve this feat.
Under Pierce’s leadership, the Raiders displayed discipline and efficiency on the field. They finished the season with the fewest penalties in the league, committing only 75 infractions throughout the year. In fact, they even completed two games without a single penalty flag. This level of discipline contributed to their success and showcased Pierce’s ability to instill a sense of responsibility within the team.
Pierce’s impact on the Raiders’ defense was also significant. Since taking over as Interim Head Coach, the team excelled in several defensive categories. They tied for 10th in the league in takeaways, tied for fifth in turnover margin, and tied for third in sacks. Furthermore, their defense allowed an impressive league-low average of only 16.0 points per game.
Prior to joining the Raiders’ coaching staff, Pierce had a successful career as a linebacker coach at Arizona State University. He spent five seasons with the Sun Devils, initially serving as linebackers coach before being promoted to associate head coach and defensive coordinator. During his time at ASU, Pierce played a crucial role in developing the team’s defense, which ranked first in scoring defense and total yards allowed per game in the Pac-12 conference.
Before his coaching career, Pierce gained experience as the head coach of the Long Beach Poly High School football program. His success at the high school level showcased his ability to lead and develop young players. Pierce’s journey to coaching began after his own playing career, where he had a notable stint with the Washington Football Team and later signed with the New York Giants as an unrestricted free agent. Over his nine-year NFL career, Pierce played in 115 games, accumulating impressive statistics such as 732 tackles, eight sacks, seven interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and 11 fumble recoveries. He was a key member of the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII championship team and earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2006.
Off the field, Pierce credits his family for their unwavering support. He expresses gratitude to his wife, Jocelyn, and their children, Jayla, Destini, Anthony, De’Andre, Carmelo, Preston, and Santana.
Antonio Pierce’s appointment as Head Coach of the Las Vegas Raiders marks an exciting new chapter for the team. With his extensive experience as a player and coach, Pierce brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to guide the Raiders to future success. Fans can look forward to witnessing his strategic prowess and ability to develop young talent as he leads the team into the next season.
