Josh McDaniels tenure in Las Vegas ended after just one and a half seasons, with the team firing both McDaniels and the general manager, Dave Ziegler, Tuesday at midnight. It's just another turbulent episode for the Raiders franchise since they have changed their direction again during the Mark Davis era.
The team named Antonio Pierce, a former Giants linebacker, the new interim head coach expecting to finish the 2023 season with him at the wheel of this Raiders team. What's next for Mark Davis as he embarks himself to find another head coach?
Dan Quinn (Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator)
Quinn went on several interviews after a successful season as the Cowboys defensive coordinator last offseason. Still, he elected to stay with the team, hoping to become the head coach for the Cowboys soon. His name should sound attractive for the Raiders due to his defensive mind, and he also has the head coaching experience taking the Falcons to two playoff runs, including one Super Bowl appearance.
Ben Johnson (Detroit Lions offensive coordinator)
Ben Johnson had a similar busy offseason as Quinn, as he also got a lot of interest from other teams to become their head coach. Johnson wanted to return under Dan Campbell for the 2023 season. He is having two straight top-five offenses with the Lions and there is no better time for Johnson to go to the next level as he is a young, offensive-minded coach. Many teams are seeking his services as head coach, and the Raiders might be interested.
Brian Flores (Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator)
This one is a long shot. Davis might be hesitant to bring back another man from Bill Belichick's coaching tree after McDaniels time with the Raiders, but Flores has proven that he can win as a head coach, going 19-14 from 2019-2020 as the Dolphins head coach. The Vikings defense also has been improving under his guidance, keeping the team in the hunt after critical offensive injuries.
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan Head Coach)
We last saw Jim Harbaugh in the NFL almost ten years ago, but he has shown interest in returning to the league, interviewing with at least two teams since 2022. Contract negotiations have been complex after Michigan's sign-stealing scandal. If he opts to return to the NFL, the Raiders are a team to watch. Harbaugh began his coaching career with the Raiders in 2002 and spent time on the West Coast with the 49ers from 2011 to 2014, making a Super Bowl appearance.
Raiders are a mess right now! The best it could happen to them is to bring Harbaugh
Dan Quinn makes sense