In the NFL, being the head coach of a struggling team may be a humiliating experience. After serving as interim head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023, Antonio Pierce was promoted to full-time head coach in 2024, allowing him to continue building on the foundation he helped establish. Despite uneven results in his first season and a half with the Raiders, the second-year head coach emphasised his understanding of the business as a former NFL player, according to Jesse Merrick on X.
“I appreciate the support, win, lose, or draw,” Pierce stated, expressing his gratitude to Raiders fans who have persevered with him and the team despite their problems. “You know, when you take this job and you’re in front of this room, in front of the building, in front of the organisation, as the organization’s face, you take the good with the bad, right?
“When we win, everybody says, ‘AP! AP!'” When you lose, ‘get rid of his a**.’ I got it. I got it. That is the nature of the beast. It wasn’t any different when I played, right? When you play well, they keep you and pay you extra money. When you don’t, you switch to another team. So, being a former player gives you a strong understanding of the nature of the business.
“But Raider Nation has been fantastic.” I’ll say this: they turned up to all nine of our road games. So, Raider Nation has been excellent. It’s been amazing for me. I appreciate the assistance. Good, bad, and ugly, I understand. And I take it, without blinking or flinching. It’s what it is. “We need to win more games, and that is what everyone expects, including myself.”
Pierce has a 9-17 record in 27 games with the Raiders, which gives fans plenty of reason to be unhappy.
However, as evidenced by the Raiders’ 34-20 loss to the Chargers in Week 18, Pierce recognised the fans who had an impact in the regular-season finale.
While Pierce’s job security is unknown, it’s not shocking that the Raiders may let him go.
He’s been unimpressive in terms of turning the Raiders around, even though he hasn’t had the finest opportunities.
Few expected the Raiders to undergo a total metamorphosis, given their current position on the NFL totem pole.
However, there was no progress, as the Raiders fell dramatically from their 8-9 record in 2023.
Pierce’s history as an NFL player and coach demonstrates his understanding of the business, even if the Raiders opt to let him go.
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