We’re entering the second day of an important offseason as the Las Vegas Raiders begin their search for a new head coach and general manager.
Early reports indicate that Las Vegas owner Mark Davis was initially more focused on the general manager search than the coaching search. Six candidates emerged to replace the fired Dave Ziegler.
The Raiders have requested permission to talk to San Francisco 49ers general manager Adam Peters, Indianapolis Colts front office manager Ed Dobbs, Cincinnati Bengals’ Trey Brown and Buffalo’s Terrence Gray for the general manager position. They also interview former Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco.Raiders interim general manager Champ Kelly is also expected to be a strong candidate, and other candidates are also strong. Kelly is also a candidate in Carolina.
Additionally, no movement was reported during the director’s interview in Las Vegas. There are currently six head coaching vacancies, and with the possible departure of the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick from the league, more could be added at any time.
In addition to the Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons are also looking for a head coach. Most of these teams have reports on potential candidates. In Las Vegas, speculation centers on interim head coach Antonio Pierce and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.
Bleacher Report reported Monday that Davis will choose between Pierce and Harbaugh.That could mean playing at Harbout, where the Raiders won the national championship Monday night. Unless the Raiders can land Harbaugh. Pierce, who has been linked to the Chargers and Falcons and could land the New York Giants defensive coordinator position, will likely get a promotion if he doesn’t stay in Las Vegas.However, the fact that the Raiders are casting a wide net in their GM search could mean that Davis is open to a head coaching position.
All CEOs want to be involved in the hiring process and may consider other candidates.So this process is just beginning. It was interesting to note that many of Davis’ candidates had previously spoken with the team. Kelly, Dobbs and Brown were candidates two years before Ziegler was hired.
