10 Reasons Reggie McKenzie's Hiring Is Already a Success for Raiders Franchise

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The hiring of Reggie McKenzie came on fast and swept over Raider nation. With the arrival of the GM came many new coaching hires, financial restructuring and allusions to roster changes. While change is hard for some who believed that Coach Hue Jackson needed one more year to prove himself, McKenzie felt differently—and rightly so.

In the few months that he's been GM, the face of the organization has changed, moving closer to the Raiders' Commitment to Excellence in the process, making him a success already.

McKenzie Isn't Afraid to Make Waves

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It was apparent when he wasted no time in firing Hue Jackson that McKenzie intends to change the team to meet his vision, not try and mold pieces that are already in place. If it doesn't fit in his plan, it has to go.

The reverberation of the Jackson firing rippled across Raider Nation, but just like a fat kid cannonballing into a pool of people, what's important is the final result, not the waves along the way.

McKenzie Knows How to Win a Superbowl

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It's well documented that McKenzie has worked his way up the ranks in the Green Bay Packers' organization. Green Bay has a very distinct, high-achieving culture, much like the Raiders. He helped them achieve success, knows what it is like to be on a Superbowl-winning team and understands the work it takes to get there. McKenzie also has a history of excellence as a player which leads to the next point.

McKenzie Is a Former Raider

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Back in his playing days, McKenzie played alongside greats like Marcus Allen and under the tutelage of the legendary Coach Flores. Having been a Raider, McKenzie understands the spirit of being a part of this team, even though he never had the chance to personally work with Mr. Al Davis.

He's Defensively Minded

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While he will not be coaching the team, McKenzie understands the offensive minds that have been running the Raiders have not worked out well recently, which means it's time for a change.

By hiring Dennis Allen as the new head coach, McKenzie is evidently taking strides to help the team in the most crucial area: defense. The last time defensive-minded coach hired was John Madden, and that worked out pretty well.

McKenzie Hires Young (like Al)

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Dennis Allen is only 39 years old, which means McKenzie isn't afraid to carry on Mr. Davis's tradition of hiring young, hungry coaches and giving them their shot. Sometimes it works, sometimes it fails miserably, but the important thing to note is that he's not afraid.

As a first-time GM it would be tempting to go for some of the more proven, veteran coaches out there, but McKenzie trusts Allen's experience.

He Gives Time Where It's Needed

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After hiring Allen, McKenzie made no bones about the fact that the new HC would get to pick his own coaches. He said the following:

What I'm going to do is empower the head coach to hire his staff, the best possible staff that he can hire. We're not going to tie the guy's hands and tell him he has to hire this guy or this guy. It wouldn't be fair to the new head coach. The head coach will have the right to hire any coach that he wants.

He has also given Allen plenty of time to choose his coaching staff, ensuring that the new HC isn't rushed and makes the best decision possible.

McKenzie Thinks Long Term

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While the current changing of players and coaches may seem like a lot of arbitrary movement to some, McKenzie is in fact trying to cut areas where the Raiders are bleeding cash and need to tighten things up.

Expect to see a lot of roster changes in this process, but keep in mind that McKenzie is not only planning for next season, but many seasons to come. This is also evidenced by the fact that Coach Allen was given a four-year contract instead of the typical two-year that has been given in the past. This will help stabilize the team for years to come.

There Actually Is a GM Now

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It was no secret in the past that Davis wore the hats of both owner and GM, and occasionally coach (much to the actual coach's chagrin). The Raiders now have a GM—a man whose sole focus is to put together a winning team without worrying about the doldrums of the business side. McKenzie can put all his efforts into constructing a winning team.

Recognition of the Nation

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The Oakland Raiders are much more than a football team—it's a culture. Hue Jackson said he was building a bully, which fired up the Raider Nation and kept many people going for a whole season.

McKenzie, having been a Raider, recognizes that winning is expected—the Nation will stand for nothing less. Everyone wants to win, but there is a distinct culture about the Raiders that permeates it at all levels, which McKenzie knows well.

Possible Reconstruction

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There are all kinds of chatter about what will happen with the Raiders' financial future, and one interesting idea is that there will be ownership reconstruction. Having been a part of the Packers, who recently sold more stock to fans to finance a stadium expansion, McKenzie knows the business side of things.

Here are the facts: the Raiders need a new stadium, and the tight-lipped ownership leaves only speculation as to how much of the team the Davis family actually owns. That being said, McKenzie's presence alone offers solace in the idea of financial reconstruction of the team. Why this is a success before the season even starts is because the financial future of the team should never be in jeopardy when stocks are finally an option.