John Madden's Possible Return to the Oakland Raiders

Al Davis once indicated that he would secure a position on the Raiders staff with local connections to support in running the football side of things. This same person will be someone with a recognizable name and with ties to the Raiders organization. 

I'm sure the secret leader Davis was most likely speaking of was the return of John Madden to silver and black. Recently, the former Raiders coach announced his retirement from broadcasting. This week, speculation about Madden of his possible return to Oakland has already come up.

Madden once was quoted as saying, "I'm not a journalist, I'm not an actor. I'm a football coach doing television. It's fun. It's my life, my passion. I'll do it as long as I can."

However, it was only last week when he made the retirement announcement. It probably won’t be long before he returns to football. 

Madden coached the Raiders from 1967-78, going 112-39-7 with one Super Bowl victory, and no losing seasons. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. Today he remains close to Davis and lives in the East Bay. 

With is his eyes set on the draft this weekend, there is a very good possibility that Davis might ask Madden for his opinion on the potential draft picks prior to Davis making his final decision. 

In August of 2007, both Davis and Madden discussed the idea of Davis’s successor. The two communicated about the future of the Raiders franchise and who would do what Davis is doing when he decides to stop running the team or passes on.

If Davis were to pass, his wife Carol and son Mark Davis would inherit ownership. Davis then said he wants someone brought in as a consultant to run the football side of things.

Davis has been quoted at that time saying, "John Madden would have to be considered."

This past September during football season, Davis indicated he wanted to add a recognizable figure to the team front office in the near future. Though no further indications were made since then.

Madden is 73-years-old himself, and may not want to become fully involved as the general manager who runs all of the football operations. Davis has shown no signs of relinquishing his control, just yet.

Keeping that in mind, Madden may fit better in a consultant role—contributing as an adviser to Davis and the Raiders, with his great wisdom and love for the game, who Davis would trust and respect. 

Madden is an X’s and O’s type of guy. Even though he has not coached for more than thirty years, he definitely knows the game. Davis will listen to him, since he speaks about strategy and player analysis more then just the basic aspects of the game.

Don’t get your hopes up, though, Raiders fans. Madden plans on staying retired. 

Madden said, “no,” when asked if he would rejoin the Raiders as a consultant.

"I have too much respect for the game and for Al to think that I can do anything. The way the game is today, that's a 20 hour-a-day job. You can't go in part-time or just stick your toe in the water to be a part of a pro football team,” he indicated this Friday on his daily appearance on KCBS radio.

Even though Raider Nation may be awaiting the “Madden Cruiser,” there are no indications of him returning to the “Black Hole.”

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