Los Angeles (AFP) – The Las Vegas Raiders are finalizing a deal to appoint Antonio Pierce as the NFL team’s head coach after his successful spell as interim head coach, according to multiple media reports on Friday.
Pierce took charge of the Raiders on October 31 after Josh McDaniels was fired following a 3-5 start to the season, moving up from his role as linebackers coach.
The former New York Giants linebacker had a 5-4 record during his spell in charge, including a 20-14 win at defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City and a 63-21 crushing of the Los Angeles Chargers.
His debut game had seen the Raiders destroy the Giants 30-6.
ESPN cited sources as saying the Raiders were “working to finalize” a deal with Pierce while CBS Sports said they were “zeroing in on officially announcing the hire”.
The NFL Network said that the team had agreed on terms with Pierce, who had been linked with vacancies at the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons.
Pierce has proven to be a popular choice with the Raiders players and All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby recently suggested he would consider moving on from the team if Pierce did not get the job.
As a player, Pierce won the Super Bowl with the Giants in the 2007 season.
