Al Davis Assembles Experienced Staff To Improve 24-72 Six-Year Slump

(Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)

Fundamentals and great preparation have come back to Oakland. Al Davis may finally have a staff that can spring his team to at least mediocrity after compiling just 24 wins over the past six years.

Let's take a look at the coaches who will be very involved in turning around the Raiders (besides Tom Cable).

Paul Hackett, Quarterbacks Coach

Ever since Hackett was hired in 2008, first impression was that JaMarcus Russell has a good quarterback teacher now who may be able to take him to that next level. Instead, Hackett worked special projects for the Raiders last season and watched Russell's progress. 

The Raiders made the smart choice this year by finally promoting Hackett to quarterbacks coach.

Hackett has worked with Joe Montana, Rich Gannon, and Chad Pennington, to name a few quarterbacks. They all have said he was very instrumental to their success.

Hackett brings tons of experience to this Raiders offense and will look to improve Russell's accuracy, timing, and preparation. Hackett is regarded as one of the best offensive coaches in the game (as well as one of the best preparation coaches).

With his knowledge and ability to improve the quarterback's play, he will be very important to the Raiders offense.

Ted Tollner, Passing Game Coordinator

Another experienced coach, Tollner will be looking to implement a downfield passing attack that will try to create mismatches when opponents stack the box to stop Tom Cable's three-headed monster (McFadden, Bush, Fargas).

Last year with the 49ers, Tollner helped quarterback Shaun Hill post an 87.5 quarterback rating (ranking 12th in the league) and assembled a 62.8 percent completion rate.

Tollner and Hackett together have invaluable experience since they have been working in the NFL for years and will be great teachers for Russell.

He will assist Cable in the passing game but will not call plays since Cable found his groove last year as a play-caller.

Jim Michalczik, Offensive Line Coach

Cable was the Raiders' offensive line coach before being hired as their head coach, spending every minute with Russell's body guards essentially.

However, now being head coach, Cable was looking for an offensive line coach that knows his scheme (ZBS) and could free him up more to the rest of the team.

The Raiders struck gold with Michalczik, who just so happened to leave Steve Sarkisian (who turned down Al Davis in 2007) in Washington to coach the Silver and Black with Cable, his friend and former coworker.

Michalczik is gold for Cable and the Raiders because he implemented the ZBS well at Cal, helping produce a 1,000 yard rusher every season since 2002. He was their assistant head coach and co-offensive coordinator last year as well, so he was a big contributor to the Bears' offense.

This is a great hire for the Raiders, who got a coach who can only add more spice to the offense.

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