The Raiders will be searching for a new head coach in the next few months. In fact, they might already be looking.
Former head coach Jon Gruden resigned on Monday night following a New York Times piece that showed multiple emails over seven years in which he used vulgar and racist language.
Special teams coach Rich Bisaccia will take over in the interim, but who could land this job in 2022? Here are the top-10 candidates who could be the next Las Vegas Raiders head coach.
Cowboys OC Kellen Moore
Aug 21, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy (left) talks with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Moore turned down the Boise State job to stay with the Dallas Cowboys as their offensive coordinator. Now, he has that offense clicking on all cylinders.
Moore is only 33 years old, but is widely viewed as one of the most creative and innovative offensive minds in the league.
Through five games, the Cowboys are the No. 2 scoring offense and have the second-most rushing yards in the league. Combine that with his work with Dak Prescott and it’s not hard to see why so many will covet Moore this offseason.
Bills OC Brian Daboll
Jun 15, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll looks on during minicamp at the ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Daboll has been the offensive coordinator in Buffalo since 2018 and has been an NFL coach for 21 seasons. His offenses have been highly creative over the last few years and his development of Josh Allen has been spectacular. Daboll seems like a lock to be a head coach in 2022.
Panthers OC Joe Brady
Aug 27, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Brady is only 32 years old, but he’s already got quite the resume. He was a brilliant offensive coordinator at LSU working with Joe Burrow. Now, he’s helped Sam Darnold resurrect his career in Carolina.
Raiders DC Gus Bradley
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 10: Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley of the Las Vegas Raiders runs onto the field before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bears defeated the Raiders 20-9. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
If the Raiders want to stay with an in-house candidate, Bradley would make a ton of sense. He’s already been a head coach before in the NFL and his defense is playing extremely well this season.
Buccaneers DC Todd Bowles
Sep 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
If the Raiders want a defensive-minded head coach, Todd Bowles figures to get some consideration. He’s been a coach in the NFL for 24 years and he has ties with general manager Mike Mayock. Bowles was a head coach from 2015-2018 with the Jets, but did not have much success. However, he deserves another shot after fantastic success in Tampa Bay.
Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy
August 14, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
An in-division candidate has to be Eric Bieniemy, who should have been a head coach for several years now. He’s been the offensive coordinator for four seasons now with the Chiefs and has worked under Andy Reid since 2013.
Rams DC Raheem Morris
Aug 18, 2021; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris looks on during a joint practice against the Las Vegas Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Morris is a 20-year NFL coach who has had a ton of success as a defensive coordinator this year with the Rams. He was last a head coach in Tampa Bay, where his team went 10-6 during the 2010 season.
Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich
TAMPA, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 19: Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes the field before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Another offensive mind that will certainly get some consideration is Byron Leftwich. He’s called the plays for the Buccaneers in each of the last two seasons, working with Bruce Arians and Tom Brady.
Oklahoma HC Lincoln Riley
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley talks with Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler (7) before a two point-conversion attempt during the Red River Showdown college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. Oklahoma won 55-48.
Ou Vs Texas
If the Raiders want to go with the college route, Lincoln Riley is the best name available. He has a proven track record of being able to develop quarterbacks and can run a high-flying offense with ease.
If the Raiders want to add a “name”, Riley might be the best bet. Riley is only 38 years old and might soon want to take on the challenge of the NFL.
Pairing him with a veteran defensive coordinator (Gus Bradley?) might be the way to go for the Raiders as they search for a fresh start.
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