After having sent the coach Antonio Pierce on January 7, the Raiders of Las Vegas first sought a young, promising and offensive spirit: Ben Johnson. But Johnson accepted the Bears de Chicago post. According to sources from the League on Friday, the raiders rather hired Pete Carroll-which, when he will train his first match in September, will be the oldest head coach in the history of the NFL. He is as experienced as possible and adopts a CEO -type approach in his work.
Carroll led the Seattle Seahawks to a victory at the Super Bowl XLVIII and had a successful 14-year career as a chief coach. The raiders hope that he and the managing director John Spytek, double superb champion, will be able to guide Las Vegas towards similar summits.
For Carroll, the immediate objective is to build a team of coaches. The age of Carroll and the fact that he does not call games make even more imperative that he recruits his offensive and defensive coordinators.
Raiders must interview at least two different candidates each for their OC and DC vacant posts in order to satisfy the Rooney rule. They must also interview at least one diversified candidate before hiring a new quarter coach. These interviews can be virtual or in person.
Here is a list of some of the candidates that raiders could consider hiring as the next offensive and defensive coordinator.
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Offensive coordinator
Let’s start with connections with the Seahawks.
Miami dolphins quarter coach Darrell Bevel is the candidate most likely to win the co -coating position, according to a source from the league. Bevell was the CO of Seahawks from 2011 to 2017 and helped them win the Super Bowl XLVIII. It was also OC with three other teams: the Vikings of Minnesota (2006-2010), the Lions of Detroit (2019-2020) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2021). He has been with the Dolphins since 2022 and has helped the offensive to succeed with the quarter-Arrière Tua Tagovailoa.
Cowboys OC Brian Schottenheimer Could be another option if he does not pick up the job coach position in Dallas. Schottenheimer was the CO of Seahawks from 2018 to 2020 and that of Cowboys since 2023. A glass breakage option is an emergency is Shane WaldronWho was the CO of the Seahawks from 2021 to 2023, but was dismissed after only nine games as CO of the Bears.
There are also certain family ties to consider. Carroll’s son, Brennan CarrollWas hired last year as an offensive coordinator/Offensive line coach at Washington University, held the same role at the University of Arizona from 2021 to 2023 and worked under the direction of his Father with the Seahawks from 2015 to 2020. Maybe Brennan could win an interview for the OC or Quarterbacks coach.
Carroll’s younger son, Nate Carrollwas hired as coordinator of the Panthers of the Carolina Panthers last year. Before that, he worked under the direction of his father as a manager before becoming deputy coach from 2011 to 2023. Nate is another option for the role of quarter coach or perhaps another position on the offensive side of the ball.
If Spytek, who was more recently the deputy director general of the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay, and the minority owner Tom Brady, who played for the BUCs from 2020 to 2022, have their say to the team of coaches, Raiders could consider the old BOCS OC. Byron LeftwichWho has been out of the league since its dismissal after the 2022 season. Leftwich called offensive games when he won a Super Bowl alongside Brady and Spytek after the 2020 season.
Another familiar candidate is the quarter of Tampa Bay. Thad Lewis. The BUCs could end up promoting it after losing the former OC Liam Coen against the Jacksonville jaguars, but perhaps the raiders could get involved.
There are also a group of former NFL offensive coordinators that could be available. Deputy head coach of the Washington Commanders/Pass game coordinator Brian Johnson was the CO of the Eagles of Philadelphia in 2023. Former CO of the Texans of Houston Bobby Slowik was dismissed on Friday. Former Vikings and New Orleans Oc Klint Kubiak is also available. Former head coach of Indianapolis colts and panthers Franck Reich He was not a coach last year, but he is also present.
Raiders could also try their luck on an OC for the first time which has a longer term potential but which lacks familiarity with Carroll and Spytek. Buffalo Bills quarter coach-and former quarter of the Raiders- Ronald Curry is an upright assistant. The same goes for the tight end coach of the Los Angeles Rams and the coordinator of the passenger game Nick Campy. The most popular candidate for the first time at the OC is perhaps the Viking quarter coach Josh McCownAnother former quarterback of raiders.
There are also some developments elsewhere within the offensive staff. Tom Cable is a candidate to become coach of the offensive line, according to a source from the league. Cable maintains close links with raiders and carroll. He was coach of the Raiders line O from 2007 to 2008, their head coach from 2008 to 2010 and again their trainer from line O from 2018 to 2021. Cable was the assistant head coach of Seahawks and L ‘Coach of the offensive line under Carroll from 2011 to 2021. 2017. Reunion with cable would quite meaning.
Another potential offensive assistant to watch is Greg Olson. Olson was the RAIDER OC from 2013 to 2014 and from 2018 to 2021 and was more recently the Seahawks quarter coach in 2023. Olson could be in the mix for the quarter coach or another role.
Go deeper
List of things to do with the Director General of Raiders, John Spytek: hire a head coach, find a quarter and more
Defensive coordinator
The raiders interviewed the former head coach of the New York Jets Robert Saleh For their vacant coach position before hiring Carroll. He would have accepted conditions with the 49ers of San Francisco to return as DC (he occupied this role for them from 2017 to 2020), but the raiders could try to attract him. Saleh was coach of the defensive quality control of the Seahawks from 2011 to 2013, so he knows Carroll.
Gus Bradley was the DC of Seahawks under Carroll from 2010 to 2012 and also spent a season as DC of Raiders in 2021. It was recently dismissed after three years as DC of the Colts, it is therefore available. Bradley’s defenses have not been successful for a while, which could affect his chances.
Another option is Kris Richard. He played for Seahawks and Raiders before becoming a coach. He worked under the direction of Carroll at the USC from 2008 to 2009 and with the Seahawks from 2010 to 2017, including as a defensive coordinator from 2015 to 2017. He could be a candidate to join the staff in a different title.
Nick Sorensen has just been fired after a year as DC of the 49ers. He was assistant to Seahawks under Carroll from 2013 to 2020 and could enter the mix for raiders.
If Carroll wants someone who has never been DC before, Karl Scott could have a chance. He has been coach of the defensive rear and coordinator of the Seahawks passes game since 2022, he therefore worked under the direction of Carroll for two seasons.
Of course, there are a number of former defensive coordinators and assistants who have no connection with Carroll. KACY RODGERS has just agreed to become the next coach of the Lions defensive line, but perhaps the raiders could try to have it reconsidered. He was coach of the Bucs line D from 2019 to 2024, so he worked with Spytek and Brady. It was also the DC of Jets from 2015 to 2018.
University of Michigan, DC Martindal “Wink” donation is another option. Martindale was coach of the seconds of raids from 2004 to 2008 and worked in the NFL DC with the Broncos de Denver (2010), Les Ravens de Baltimore (2018-2021) and the Giants de New York (2022-23).
Or maybe raiders could roll with someone from the previous team. Patrick GrahamHis contract expired at the end of the season, but he has not yet found a job elsewhere. It was the DC of Raiders from 2022 to 2024, helped transform the unit into a solid unit and is well considered in the locker room. Carroll and Graham did not work together, but Graham knows Brady well. They ride when Graham was part of the Patriots’ team of coaches from 2009 to 2015.
If Graham decides to go elsewhere, perhaps the defensive line coach Rob Léonard could be in the running for a promotion. Like Graham, Leonard is extremely appreciated by players. He has been part of the franchise since 2023 and has helped to obtain positive results from Line D. Leonard also led to internal and external seconds and worked in various programs throughout his coach career. It’s a black horse, but it could be a judicious recruit at Washington DC.
(Photo by Darrell Bevell: Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY)
