HENDERSON, Nev. — While Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis told ESPN he was «uncomfortable with the concept» of pairing a rookie coach with a rookie general manager, as he had done in 2012, that was not the reason he selected Tom Telesco as Las Vegas' general manager.
Telesco, who had been the Los Angeles Chargers' GM from 2013 until he was fired last month, was chosen to work with new coach Antonio Pierce because it was the right fit, Davis said.
«I had to get the right guy, at the right time, to fit the Raiders,» Davis said. «It was always a battle to play the Chargers. They always had good talent. At times, great talent. They scared you. I actually liked him, which was different for me with guys from other teams. I respected him.»
Pierce, who was officially named the Raiders' head coach Friday, and Telesco, named GM on Tuesday, were introduced in a joint media conference Wednesday.
Davis said Champ Kelly, who served as interim general manager the last nine games of the season, was still with the franchise as assistant GM, his title before being elevated Nov. 1. Kelly had interviewed for the position, as well as with the Carolina Panthers, but Davis said he hopes Kelly remains with the Raiders. He and Pierce, as interim coach, went 5-4 down the stretch for the Raiders, who finished 8-9 and in second place in the AFC West (Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels were fired as GM and coach, respectively, on Halloween).
«I think he brings a lot to this organization,» Davis said of Kelly. «I have a lot of respect for him and what he was able to do.»
One of Pierce's accomplishments was beating Telesco's Chargers 63-21 in Week 15 at Allegiant Stadium, setting the franchise record for most points scored in a game.
Asked how long it
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