The Las Vegas Raiders have announced the termination of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler due to a rocky start to the season. The decision was conveyed by Raiders owner Mark Davis, who expressed his gratitude for their efforts and wished them well in their future endeavors.


In response to this change in leadership, the Raiders have appointed Antonio Pierce as the interim head coach and Champ Kelly as the interim general manager. Antonio Pierce becomes the eighth head coach, including three interim appointments, in the Raiders' last 13 years. The team has also stated its commitment to conducting a comprehensive search for a new head coach and general manager once the current season concludes.


The dismissal of McDaniels and Ziegler marks the end of a disappointing period for the franchise. They were hired in 2021, both having been part of the title-winning New England Patriots organization. Despite high-profile acquisitions like Davante Adams, the duo failed to lead the team to the playoffs during their tenure in Las Vegas, culminating in a combined record of 9-16 over 25 games, including a 3-5 start to the current season.


Josh McDaniels, known for his offensive proficiency during his time with the New England Patriots, saw the Raiders' offense struggle, with the team ranking 30th in scoring and 31st in yards, a significant decline from their 2022 performance. While players like Adams, Josh Jacobs, and Maxx Crosby had notable moments during their time with the franchise, they faced difficulties in the current season, leading to the decision to part ways with the coaching staff.


The decision to fire McDaniels and Ziegler came on the heels of the Raiders' 26-14 loss to the Detroit Lions, during which the team struggled, accumulating only 157 total yards, compared to Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who recorded 189 yards by himself. Notably, this marks the second unsuccessful stint as a head coach for McDaniels, who previously coached the Denver Broncos for 28 games before being dismissed in 2010.