Raiders' Top Candidates to Replace Antonio Pierce in 2024 NFL Offseason If Not Hired
The Las Vegas Raiders might have been the first team to fire their head coach, but they are on track to just be one of several teams looking to find a new head coach.
ESPN's Adam Schefter recently noted that seven to 10 teams could make a chance at one of the most important positions in the sport. The Raiders have already been joined by the Carolina Panthers. They fired Frank Reich after a 1-10 start in his first season with the team.
The Raiders may already have their new head coach. Antonio Pierce will have a shot to win the job and remove the interim from his current title as interim head coach.
The former linebackers coach got off to a strong start with two wins after McDaniels was fired. However, the Raiders most recent loss to the Chiefs makes for back-to-back losses and has Pierce trending in the wrong direction.
If the Raiders decide to start over, here are three top candidates to get the franchise back on track.
Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator
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The offensive guys always get the most attention during the hiring cycle, but defense can still win championships in the league. The Raiders are a franchise that hasn't finished in the top half of the league in scoring defense since 2002.
There's a good case for an offensive-minded head coach. The Raiders are likely going to be looking for a new quarterback to develop and it helps to have a head coach who can have a direct hand in developing a young passer.
But the Raiders just found out that hiring an offensive mastermind doesn't always create a dynamic offense.
The reality is that competing in a division that already has Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and a Broncos offense built by Sean Payton might mean the Raiders should zig when everyone else is zagging.
If the Raiders decide to go with a defensive-minded coach then Mike Macdonald would make a lot of sense. He has made a drastic difference with the Ravens defense over the last two seasons and has helped Baltimore become one of the best units in the league this season.
Macdonald has had the opportunity to work with both Harbaugh brothers. He was the defensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines under Jim Harbaugh in 2021.
The offensive coordinator job would be a huge hire, but Macdonald's young energy and ability to develop an elite defense would be a great foundation for moving forward.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Wolverines Head Coach
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It isn't very often that a coach with Jim Harbaugh's record in the NFL becomes available and they aren't already collecting AARP benefits.
The 59-year-old Harbaugh last coached in the NFL in 2014, but he was 44-19-1 as the San Francisco 49ers head coach. He took the Niners to three consecutive NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl in a four-year stint as their head coach.
Harbaugh then made the bold move to go back to the college game, taking over his alma mater, Michigan. It's taken a while, but he has built Michigan into a contender. They are 83-25 under his watch with four New Year's Six Bowls and are headed toward another playoff appearance after their third consecutive win over Ohio State.
However, his time in college hasn't come without scrutiny. Harbaugh as been suspended twice this season. The first was for recruiting violations and the other was related to the sign-stealing scandal at Michigan.
Regardless, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported that teams are not going to let anything from the NCAA's investigation impact the way they view the coach if he wants to return to the NFL.
Harbaugh is a former NFL quarterback with a proven record of winning with different types of quarterbacks. He also has proven to have the organizational and leadership skills to win as both a college and pro coach.
That's a rare skill set that speaks to his unique abilities. A decade is a long time to be away from the league, but getting Harbaugh to come back to the league would be considered a major win for the Silver and Black.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator
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It seems that every year there's the rising offensive mind that every owner wants to hire as their head coach. From Sean McVay to Mike McDonald to Shane Steichen, owners want to find that coach that can come in and make their franchise an exciting offensive powerhouse.
Macdonald would bring the excitement of a young rising star in the coaching industry. Harbaugh would bring a good offensive mind and a proven track record. But neither would bring the same kind of excitement as Ben Johnson because what he has done with the Detroit Lions offense.
The 37-year-old interviewed with multiple teams last season after a successful year. He ultimately removed his name from consideration and made the decision to return to Detroit.
The decision has given him another year to work with the Lions unit and that's only served to elevate his stock. The Lions are once again top 10 in scoring and second in total yards this season.
His ability to build an offense that has revived Jared Goff's career after being written off as part of the Matthew Stafford trade is going to make him one of the most desired candidates in this cycle.
It would also make him the ideal architect to build an offense that either suits Jimmy Garoppolo or brings along a young quarterback in Vegas.
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