Antonio Pierce on coaching the Raiders: ‘Hopefully we’re together for more years to come’

Dec 26, 2023, 5:34 PM

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders is seen on the sideline during the third...

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders is seen on the sideline during the third quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 25, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Former Editor

Antonio Pierce may have just gotten the biggest win of his interim coaching career.

A week after shellacking the Los Angeles Chargers 63-21 on prime time, the Raiders marched into Kansas City on Christmas Day and stopped the Chiefs from clinching their eighth straight AFC West title with a 20-14 win.

Monday’s win puts Pierce at 4-3 since taking over for Josh McDaniels, and the Raiders at 7-8, still alive in the AFC playoff picture. But the playoffs aren’t what the team is looking at, staying focused on the next opponent.

Enough is enough 😤#RaiderNation

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 27, 2023

“Colts. That’s how we’ve been focusing, what’s in front of us,” Pierce said. “I can’t control 2024, and that’s in 2024. I’m in 2023 right now.”

The playoffs aren’t the only thing Pierce is not focused on. With two games remaining in the 2023 season, the interim head coach can bolster his chances at shedding the interim title by finishing the season strong. However, he knows that’s out of his control.

“The only thing we can control is what we do on the grass and how it looks,” Pierce said. “And I’m going to keep saying it; as long as it looks right, sounds right and smells right, I’m fine with it. Win, lose or draw. And I’m going to be me, and they’re going to be them. And when this bad boy is over with, hopefully it all works out and we’re together for more years to come.”

So, when the season is over, what will his pitch be to owner Mark Davis? The results on the field.

“The best thing that happened for me was an opportunity. I said this maybe last week, the worst day I was going to be as a head coach was my first day. And each day is my job and I really take pride in growing each and every day to get better,” Pierce said. “And hopefully Mark Davis sees improvement and growth within our team. He sees the style and play that he wants from the Raiders. He sees a fan base that’s behind us. He sees a building that loves coming to work and loves being here. And people that’s covering the team, enjoying covering the team. And at the end of the day, we got to win. And right now, my record, our record is 4-3.”