The Las Vegas Raiders’ have had a head-coaching opening for nine days since they fired Pete Carroll early on the first day of the offseason.
What have we learned from the early stages of the search, led
by part owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek, thus far? It has been slow and methodical and it may take a while to complete.
Last year, the process to hire Carroll took 17 days from the point Antonio Pierce was fired. If the Raiders stayed the same course this time around, they would be making their hire a week from Thursday. While anything can happen, it would be a surprise if the process is completed soon.
The best best for the Raiders to finalize their decision on this job will likely the week of Jan. 26.
The Raiders have interviewed five candidates (whose season is either or or they had the byes in the playoffs. They have also asked permission to talk to six other candidates.
The coaches who the Raiders have already interviewed for Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Broncos passing-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
The six coaches who the Raiders recently asked permission to speak to are Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Los Angeles Rams passing-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
The timeline may take a while as teams can’t bring in team employee into their buildings until Monday. It is worth noting if the Raiders finalize interviews with everyone on their interview list, they will be compliant with the NFL”s Rooney Rule.
It won’t be a surprise if the Raiders add some names to their interviews after the Divisional Playoff round. Keep an eye out for names such as San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Late in the season, The Athletic reported the Raiders wanted an first-year coach and others pointed that they may lean to an offensive-minded coach before they are expected to draft Indiana’s Fernando Mendzoa.
Of the 11 names secured, six are offensive coaches and fives are defensive specialists. Just three of the candidates, Joseph, Nagy and Stefanski have NFL head-coaching experience.
So, the Raiders are doing their homework and we should buckle in for a fairly long process.
