Jon Gruden is out as Raiders coach again. The first time he had a wealth of success as the Raiders were championship contenders. His stock was so high that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded for the coach in 2002 and won a Super Bowl. The second time has ended in a scandal over racism and homophobic emails. He resigned only three seasons and five games into a 10-year, $100 million contract. Gruden never made the playoffs the second time around.
Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia has been on the staff as the Raiders assistant head coach/special teams coordinator for the last four seasons. Bisaccia, 61, is currently in his 20th season as an NFL special teams coach. His coaching NFL career began in 2002 with the Buccaneers under Gruden, and his stay in Tampa Bay lasted until 2010. But if Bisaccia isn’t the coach, who will be the coach next year?
Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs Offensive Coordinator (age: 52)
Sometimes you keep your friends close and enemies closer. A long-overdue promotion from Andy Reid’s staff is in order. While they are AFC West arch-rivals, Bieniemy seems to be the perfect fit. He was a minority candidate that cleaned up the image Gruden left behind. Las Vegas’s offense can install a more dynamic offense. The Raiders have similar skill players as the Chiefs. Bieniemy can use tight end Darren Waller, the young, speedy, and quick wide receiver. Similar to Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.
Kellen Moore, Cowboys Offensive Coordinator (age: 33)
Kellen Moore looks to have picked up right where he had left off before the 2020 season downward spiral. The presumed head coaching-in-waiting; turned down the Boise State job to stay with the Dallas Cowboys. The offensive coordinator is young, but the Rams went the same route and found success. Moore and Dak led Dallas’s explosive offensive. The talent at the Raiders is as good as the Cowboys. Moore is a native of the west coast, and a move to the Raiders could be ideal.
Doug Pederson, former Eagles Head Coach (Age: 53)
Having a Super Bowl on your resume puts you on another level. The Raiders should consider bringing back Pederson into the league. His creativity with the Eagles was mighty interesting. Despite how things ended with the Eagles, the QB situation became an issue; that was more on Carson Wentz’s shoulders. Derk Carr is the solidified QB for Vegas and can expand his game with Pederson. If Pederson can deal with Philly fans, he can endure Raider fans.
Leslie Frazier, Bills Defensive Coordinator (Age:62)
Over the years, the Raiders have had a good offense. But the defense has been ranked in the bottom half of the league. Leslie Frazier-led defensive units have been among the best since he arrived in Buffalo in 2017. The Vikings also had a top-notch defense with Frazier at the helm. In Minnesota, The Bills finished 2nd in total defense in 2018, 3rd in 2019, and are on track to be a Top 5 defense this season. The Raiders offense and Frazier’s defensive mind could be a powerful pair.
