An experienced football mind could step in if Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is temporarily relieved of his duties.Multiple reports say former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis will join Pierce’s staff, but it’s unclear what his role on the team will be.
Lewis has been with the Raiders unofficially while Pierce has become the team’s interim head coach, but NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that his title will become “official.”Pierce previously played under Lewis in 2002 and worked with him as co-defensive coordinator at Arizona State in 2019.
Making room for Lewis on the Raiders staff is a smart move. Not only is he a familiar face, but he also has a wealth of football knowledge, having coached in the NFL for over 20 years. Lewis initially distinguished himself as a defensive coordinator, leading several top-five teams with the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Chiefs.
In 2003, he became the ninth head coach in Bengals history and the first African-American to lead the franchise. He held the position for 16 years and won four division titles with six different teams over the past 34 seasons. Additionally, despite failing to advance to the postseason, Lewis led the Bengals to seven straight playoff appearances and earned Associated Press Coach of the Year honors in 2009.Â
He was fired in 2018 and remains the team’s all-time leader in wins with 131.Meanwhile, Albert Breer says Lewis may not be the last family name to join the Raiders. Along with Lewis, the team discussed hiring Tom Coughlin, another former Pierce coach and two-time Super Bowl winner. He believed it could help him bridge his “experience gap.”
