With a 2–2 record at the helm for the Raiders, interim coach Antonio Pierce has a real shot at getting the job permanently this offseason. But before that, he plans on learning as much as he can and has apparently began looking for guidance from his past.
During preparation for the Vikings this week, former NFL coaches Tom Coughlin, Marvin Lewis and Adam Gase were all at Raiders headquarters, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The three veterans sat in on meetings to provide guidance on football operations. Pierce soaked up everything he could from scheduling to scheme to technique to officiating and more.
Since being named interim coach on Nov. 1 after Josh McDaniels was fired, Pierce has heavily relied on Coughlin, his former coach during his playing days with the Giants. Pierce was a linebacker for Coughlin during the team’s 2008 Super Bowl victory, and he also played for Lewis for a season in 2002 at Washington. The two were also on the same coaching staff in Arizona State for three years.
Gase, though, never coached Pierce. He did, however, serve as a mentor to Las Vegas interim offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree, who was on Gase’s staff with the Dolphins and Jets.
Pierce may not be the team’s coach come next year, but it’s clear he’s not wasting a second in the role while he has it.
