Giants Country

Raiders Fire Head Coach, GM Ahead of Giants Game

Former Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, named interim head coach, will face his former team Sunday.

Patricia Traina

Raiders Fire Head Coach, GM Ahead of Giants Game
Raiders Fire Head Coach, GM Ahead of Giants Game /
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While you were sleeping, the Las Vegas Raiders became the first team this season to not only fire its head coach but also its general manager.

Josh McDaniels, who has four years remaining on a six-year contract, and Dave Ziegler were relieved of their duties just hours after the Raiders suffered a 26-14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football.

"After much thought about what the Raiders need to move forward, I have decided to part ways with Josh and Dave. I want to thank them both for their hard work and wish them and their families nothing but the best," Las Vegas Raiders Owner Mark Davis said in a statement.

The Raiders, now 3-5 on the year, have named former New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce as their interim head coach. Pierce had been in his second season as the team's linebackers coach. He has seven years of coaching experience, including five seasons at Arizona State and nine years of NFL playing experience.

Champ Kelly, who was in his second season as the team's assistant general manager, was named the Raiders interim general manager.

The Raiders also fired offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi and named quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree as his replacement. The Raiders also named rookie Aidan O'Connell as their starting quarterback moving forward, according to multiple reports.  

The Raiders, who have the 31st-ranked overall offense and the 19th-ranked overall defense, host the New York Giants this weekend in what will perhaps be a bittersweet start to Pierce's NFL head coaching career.

 

  

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Patricia Traina
PATRICIA TRAINA

Patricia Traina has covered the New York Giants for 30+ seasons, and her work has appeared in multiple media outlets, including The Athletic, Forbes, Bleacher Report, and the Sports Illustrated media group. As a credentialed New York Giants press corps member, Patricia has also covered five Super Bowls (three featuring the Giants), the annual NFL draft, and the NFL Scouting Combine. She is the author of The Big 50: The Men and Moments that Made the New York Giants. In addition to her work with New York Giants On SI, Patricia hosts the Locked On Giants podcast. Patricia is also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America.

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