Las Vegas Raiders fire coach Josh McDaniels, GM Dave Ziegler

Oct 31, 2023, 10:47 PM | Updated: Nov 1, 2023, 6:52 am

Head coach Josh McDaniels of the Las Vegas Raiders and Las Vegas Raiders General Manager Dave Ziegl...

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

After a year and a half of dysfunction, Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis made the call Tuesday evening to clean house. The Raiders announced that they have fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler.

The move comes only days after the team’s most recent loss on Monday Night Football, falling to the Detroit Lions, 26-14. And with players visibly showing their frustrations on the sideline, a change was on the horizon, one way or another.

Davis put out this statement, via the Raiders, to announce his decision Tuesday:

After much thought about what the Raiders need to move forward, I have decided to part ways with Josh and Dave. I want to thank them both for their hard work and wish them and their families nothing but the best.

McDaniels and Ziegler took over the Raiders franchise together in the summer of 2022, coming over from the New England Patriots. Both men were eager to spread their wings and thrive outside the nest. Sadly, that did not come to fruition.

The pair went a combined 9-16 in the last season and half, suffering embarrassing losses among the way. Those included the Indianapolis Colts with Jeff Saturday as the head coach, going scoreless against the New Orleans Saints, and most recently, losing to the Chicago Bears without Justin Fields.

Week 8’s loss on primetime was the tipping point however, with the team visibly quitting on their signal-caller offensively. The Raiders had a 150 total yards in that contest, putting up a measly seven points on offense. Their defense kept them alive with a pick-six in the third quarter.

Currently on a two-game skid at 3-5, a change felt necessary for all parties involved.

Raiders’ owner Mark Davis began informing select members of his organization later in day Tuesday that he was firing Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler. And now he has became the first NFL owner this season for fire the HC and GM. https://t.co/wSTtGUbPsv

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2023

Josh McDaniels signed a six-year contract in 2022, with the Raiders and Davis now obligated to pay the remaining money owned. Dave Ziegler’s deal is uncertain at this time.

Additionally, linebackers coach Antonio Pierce has been named interim head coach for the time being.

Pierce, 45, joined the Silver & Black in 2022 as well, coaching collegially prior. He spent time as the linebackers coach, and defensive coordinator at Arizona State University for four years. His first task at the helm of the Raiders is beating his former team, the New York Giants, in Week 9.

The Raiders made zero moves at the trade deadline, with Davis likely wanting to see how the rest of the season shakes out for his franchise.

Despite the uncertainty, one thing rings true: Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler are no longer a part of the Raiders organization.