The Las Vegas Raiders have fired former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as head coach. McDaniels lasted a season and a half in Sin City after signing a six year contract in January 2022. Ziegler, who was hired simultaneously as general manager was also let go. Ziegler was previously in the Patriots front office.

McDaniels ousting is not a surprise as the team stumbled out to a 3-5 start. There was growing frustration with the players the past two weeks and it was evident on Monday Night after a 26-14 loss to the Detroit Lions that the players had grown frustrated with the situation.  Unfortunately for McDaniels, the team actually hit rock bottom the week before when they lost 30-12 to the lowly and back up quarterback Tyson Bagent.

The Raiders were 9-16 under McDaniels. Two of those wins came against the Patriots. He probably would have survived the season and got another chance if he had the support of the players but it appears he lost the locker room in recent weeks.

McDaniels finished 6-11 in his first and the organization decided to part ways with long time starter Derek Carr. The Raiders signed former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo to a four year, $72.75 million dollar contract with $45 million guaranteed. Garoppolo has struggled however and it reflected in the overall performance of the offense. The Raiders are currently 31st in total offense and 30th in points per game.

Now the Raiders begin the search for another head coach. Linebackers Coach Antonio Pierce has been named the interim head coach. No offensive coordinator has been appointed as of now but there is a good chance that it will former Patriots assistant Mick Lombardi who is currently the offensive coordinator or pass game coordinator Scott Turner will be in the running to call plays. Pierce will be the 8th coach of the organization since Mark Davis took over as owner in October 2011.

McDaniels was also fired halfway through his second season with the Denver Broncos in 2010. Chances are, he will probably never get another chance to be a head coach in the NFL. If he does get a chance to run how own program, his best bet might be to go to the college ranks and try his luck there.