Sawt Falasteen - NFL's Raiders fire head coach Pierce

"We appreciate Antonio's leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach," the Raiders said in a statement. "Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep.

"We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organization."

Pierce, a former NFL linebacker, was named interim head coach midway through the 2023 season and given the head coaching job outright before the 2024 campaign.

It proved a difficult year that included a 10-game losing streak during which Pierce sacked offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

The Raiders won two of their last three games but fell to the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers in their season finale.

Addressing the media on Monday, Pierce said he hadn't "heard anything different" in regards to remaining as head coach despite the Raiders finishing last in their division.

However, the Raiders will now be looking for their fifth head coach since relocating to Las Vegas from Oakland in 2020.

Las Vegas will also be trying to sort out their quarterback situation. Last season started with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell competing for the starting spot.

Pierce went with veteran Minshew to start the season but benched him after five games. O'Connell then struggled before he was injured in week seven, with Minshew regaining the starting position until his season was cut short by injury.

T.Khatib--SF-PST