SHOCKING NEWS: Former HC With Ties to Star QB Emerges as Favorite for Antonio Pierce’s OC…

Although the Las Vegas Raiders haven’t yet begun to take their head coaching search seriously, Antonio Pierce, an

interim head coach, appears to be the front-runner for the position. Although Pierce was pleased with the defense’s

performance after taking over, the offense’s points per game ranking was 23rd.

Who he selects as offensive coordinator will be crucial if he is appointed head coach. A report from Colin Cowherd of

Fox Sports suggests that a favorite has developed.

“Kliff Kingsbury should be closely monitored by Pierce as his offensive coordinator if he is hired. Kliff Kingsbury is

expected to be his OC if he is hired, according to a source I have,” Cowherd stated on the January 15 broadcast of

“The Herd.”

Kingsbury is currently a senior offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach for USC under Lincoln Riley but was the

head coach of the Arizona Cardinals last season. His experience is mostly limited to collegiate settings, where he

most famously served as Texas Tech’s head coach from 2013 to 2018 and mentored quarterback Patrick Mahomes of

the Kansas City Chiefs.

He coached the Cardinals for four seasons, sending them to the postseason in 2021. But all he could muster was a

28–37 record. From 2003 to 2006, Kingsbury was a quarterback in the NFL in addition to being a coach.

Neither as an NFL head coach nor as a college head coach, Kliff Kingsbury had a great resume. But he’s shown

himself to be a really offensive thinker. Interestingly, he enjoys using an offensive technique pioneered by Mike

Leach called air raid. It’s an offensive style that enjoys throwing the ball frequently.

In terms of yards per game in 2020 and 2021, the Cardinals were among the top 10 when Kingsbury called plays.

Arizona was among the top 10 in rushing in both of those seasons, despite his well-known preference for the passing

game. Being an old-school coach who enjoys running the ball, Antonio Pierce would only bring in Kingsbury if he

thought the coach could establish a run game.

If Kliff Kingsbury is hired, one interesting item to follow in the upcoming months would be his relationship with

quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams has expressed great things about the coach, and the two collaborated closely

throughout the previous USC season.

Williams described Kingsbury as “just a good relationship coach” in August 2023, according to On3. “He gives you

the straight talk, and we’ll chat and have great conversations about how things work out now or in a few years. He’s

been excellent. Having him is fantastic, and I can’t wait to start going.

The Raiders have a No. 13 pick in the draft, but if the Chicago Bears choose to hold onto Justin Fields, Kingsbury

may pressure the team to trade for the first choice.

Since 2019, Austin Boyd has covered the Los Angeles Lakers and Las Vegas Raiders for Heavy.com. Originally from

Los Angeles and currently residing in Las Vegas, he has been featured on Heavy with interviews with NFL players

Joe Montana and Darren Waller as well as an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at “The Shop.” Additional details

regarding Austin Boyd