Raiders Brought in Three Former NFL Head Coaches to Prepare for Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings had their fair share of problems entering their week 13 bye. Most notably, head coach Kevin O’Connell had to figure out whether or not Josh Dobbs would remain the team’s starting quarterback.

KOC announced publicly, following Dobbs’ four interception performance in week 12 vs Chicago, that the Vikings would be reassessing their QB1 situation early on during their mid-season week off, before ultimately deciding to stick with their newest QB as starter.

Related: Is Kevin O’Connell Making a Mistake by Starting Josh Dobbs?

Las Vegas Raiders’ in-season coaching problems

But Minnesota’s QB problems don’t compare to what their week 14 opponents were dealing with while they “enjoyed’ the same week 13 bye. Around the same time the Vikings lost their starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, the Raiders fired their head coach, Josh McDaniels.

For his interim replacement, Vegas promoted longtime New York Giants linebacker, Antonio Pierce, to head coach. Pierce was hired as the team’s linebackers coach before the 2022 season. After winning his first two games vs both New York teams (30-6 vs NYG, 16-12 vs NYJ), Pierce and the Raiders lost their next two games, leading up to their bye week.

Interim Antonio Pierce Brings in Head Coaching Reinforcements to prepare for Minnesota Vikings

So during their bye week, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Pierce brought in three big name former NFL head coaches, Tom Coughlin, Marvin Lewis and Adam Gase to help in “all aspects of the football operation”. The goal? Plug the leaks in Vegas’ sinking ship.

As Antonio Pierce’s on-the-job training as Raiders interim head coach continues, he’s tapping into the experience of several men who have been there before.

Sources say former NFL head coaches Tom Coughlin, Marvin Lewis and Adam Gase were all at Raiders headquarters this past week, sitting in on meetings and providing input on all aspects of the football operation amid preparations for the Raiders’ home game Sunday against the Vikings.

Tom Pelissero – NFL.com

According to Sportsnaut.com, Pierce has been leaning on Coughlin a lot since taking over as Raiders head coach. That makes sense, since Pierce played for the legendary leader in New York for five seasons (2005-2009). The two won a Super Bowl together in 2007.

Related: Dalton Risner’s Tik Tok Star Wife Impressed by Vikings Fans; Loves Life in Minnesota

Smart move bye Raiders interim head coach

I do not know if Pierce’s decision to bring in decades of head coaching experience to help him navigate what’s a brand new world for him will help the Raiders beat the Vikings… but I sure hope not.

What I do know, is how smart of move this is, in the longer term. Not only will it help Pierce steer Vegas’ crumbling organization to the 2023 finish line, but it helped him gain valuable coaching knowledge for his own future.