Antonio Pierce, the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, may choose to appoint an experienced football mind to work alongside him after the interim tag was removed from his position.
Marvin Lewis, a former head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, is reportedly joining Pierce’s staff; however, it’s unclear exactly what his responsibilities will be. After Pierce was named the team’s temporary coach, Lewis joined the Raiders informally, but according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, he will have a more “formal” title.
Solidifying a spot for Lewis on the Raiders staff is a smart move. Not only is he a familiar face, but he boasts a wealth of football knowledge after spending more than two decades coaching in the NFL.
Lewis first gained notoriety as a defensive coordinator, overseeing several top-five-ranked units with the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders. In 2003, he became the ninth head coach in Bengals history and the first African American to lead the franchise.
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He’d hold the position for 16 years, winning four division titles for a team with only six total over the previous 34 seasons. Furthermore, despite failing to earn a postseason win, Lewis led the Bengals to the playoffs seven times, winning Associate Press Coach of the Year honors in 2009. Fired in 2018, he left as the team’s all-time leader in wins with 131.
Meanwhile, insider Albert Breer hints that Lewis may not be the last familiar name the Raiders bring aboard. Along with Lewis, the team also discussed hiring another of Pierce’s former head coaches, two-time Super Bowl winner Tom Coughlin, believing he could help with his “experience gap.”
“He was very clear that he knows what he doesn’t know and plans to bring on top people to cover his blind spots,” Breer said on X, formerly known as Twitter
