Raiders agree to hire Antonio Pierce as next head coach: reports

The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to hire Antonio Pierce to be their next head coach and the two sides are finalizing the deal, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't made the announcement.

ESPN's Adam Schefter also reported the news.

Pierce, 45, took over as Las Vegas' interim coach on Halloween night after Josh McDaniels was fired. The Raiders went 5-4 under his watch — the team went 8-9 overall — and the players were in his corner from the beginning.

"Why wouldn't we keep going the direction we're going?" Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said after a 27-14 victory over Denver on Jan. 7. "The fact we've come together and done something special in such a short time is hard to do. We've got a guy who's played at the highest level, won a Super Bowl, he's been a captain, and now he's a great coach and he's a leader."

Pierce also won over much of the fan base. The crowd chanted "AP!" as the game against the Broncos was winding down.

NFL hiring rules prohibited owner Mark Davis from hiring Pierce outright. Davis had to interview at least two external minority and/or female candidates in person to satisfy the Rooney rule. He did that.

The Raiders interviewed former Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. ESPN reported the club also interviewed former New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard.

Davis hired from outside two years ago in going with McDaniels over player favourite Rich Bisaccia, who led the Raiders on an unlikely late run to make the playoffs.

Once he is in the position, Pierce would have to make decisions regarding his staff. He could search for a new offensive coordinator or stay with Bo Hardegree,