Raiders hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach; ex-Patriots OC joins GM Dave Ziegler in Vegas

There is a new sheriff at Allegiant Stadium, however there’s additionally a brand new deputy, and each are arriving by means of the New England Patriots. Not lengthy earlier than kickoff for the AFC Championship Recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals, the Las Vegas Raiders made a closing determination on their vacant normal supervisor place — naming New England Patriots de facto GM Dave Ziegler to the place within the wake of firing Mike Mayock. They then instantly set to work finalizing a cope with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who has agreed to be their head coach, CBS Sports activities NFL Insider Jonathan Jones stories.

McDaniels takes the reins from Wealthy Bissacia, the Raiders particular groups coordinator turned interim head coach after the divorce from Jon Gruden, and it marks the second time McDaniels has agreed to change into head coach of an NFL group prior to now 4 years. 

His first is one that may by no means be forgotten and has been a darkish cloud for him up to now, specifically in his acceptance of the place for the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 earlier than in the end doing an about-face and sticking with the Patriots; and regardless of the Colts having already made the announcement. That mentioned, the Raiders aren’t anticipating the identical change of coronary heart from McDaniels, particularly contemplating the addition of Ziegler as GM, conserving the 2 collectively on their trek from Boston to Las Vegas. 

McDaniels, 45, joins the Raiders having spent nearly all of his teaching profession in New England, however he is not a first-time head coach on the skilled stage. He was named head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009, however that keep was short-lived, as he’d transfer on in 2011 to take the function of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams earlier than circling again to the Patriots in 2012 — the place he is remained since.

With Zielger and McDaniels now onboard, all eyes flip to the way forward for quarterback Derek Carr, because the Raiders proceed with one of many more difficult offseasons within the NFL.