For the second time in 48 months, the Raiders have an interim head coach with about a two-month window to win over Mark Davis for the job.
Two years ago, it was Rich Bisaccia. This year, it’s Antonio Pierce.
Given the fact that Davis realizes it was a mistake to move on from Bisaccia, Pierce should be considered the favorite to get the job if the team continues to rally around him.
But if Davis decides not to go with Pierce, he will have plenty of options. Names like Jim Harbaugh and Jon Gruden will be connected to the Raiders in the months ahead, and a dark horse candidate for the job might be Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
According to Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter, Evero is considered one of the best young coaches in the industry…
“I had one NFL General Manager say to me flat out ‘If he gets a one-on-one with Mark Davis, he will be your next coach,” Carpenter said on the Las Vegas Raiders Insider podcast. “This guy called him one of the most brilliant football minds he has ever talked football with. He told me if he had an opening today, E.J. would be at the top of his list…”
“E.J. will walk into that room with binders of information, [and say] ‘this is going to be my offensive coordinator and here’s what we’re going to do.’ That’s why they said getting the interview with Mark [Davis] is going to be the key. If he gets the interview, one in particular said ‘I have no doubt he’ll get the job.’”
Those are strong words for sure and something (or someone) to keep an eye on as Davis is expected to enter his latest coaching search with an open mind.
At least that’s what he said he’s going to do.
And for what it’s worth, if the Panthers don’t start scoring more points and winning more games, Evero might find himself with an interim head-coaching gig of his own.
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