Interview date: Friday, Jan. 16
Previous role: Pierce was the head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders until the end of the 2024 season. He was the interim head coach the season prior.
Pierce began his NFL tenure as a linebackers coach with the Raiders from 2022-23. He kept that responsibility in 2023 before being named the interim head coach after Josh McDaniels was fired in November. The Raiders went 5-4 with Pierce at the temporary helm, and he was named the official head coach after the season’s conclusion.
After starting his coaching career at Long Beach Poly High School, Pierce made the jump to the college ranks in 2018 as the linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator for Arizona State University before being promoted to defensive coordinator/assistant head coach in 2020.
Going undrafted in the 2001 NFL Draft, Piece was signed as a free agent with the then-Washington Redskins. He became one of Washington’s starting inside linebackers in 2004, logging a career high 114 tackles, one forced fumble, one sack and two interceptions. He played his final five seasons with the New York Giants, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2006.
Local connection: It was reported in 2024 that the Falcons had interest in Pierce for the vacant head coach position that Raheem Morris ultimately filled. The organization reportedly requested to interview Pierce, but shortly thereafter, Pierce came to an agreement with the Raiders to stay on as the head coach, without the interim tag.
Pierce also worked with Falcons’ president of football, Matt Ryan, at CBS.
Why he’s a candidate: Though Pierce has not been on the coaching market since being released by the Raiders in January 2025, he is still thought of as a respected candidate through the 2026 coaching cycle. Many believe the situation he inherited with the Raiders was not indicative of his coaching chops, nor was he given ample time to build much of anything.
A major issue for the Raiders organization at that time was the inconsistencies at quarterback and the offense at large. The unit finished in the bottom four league-wide in scoring, rushing and turnovers committed. However, decisions made thereafter did not improve the Raiders’ stock. They hired Pete Carroll. Pierce ended the 2024 season with a 4-13 record. Carroll ended the 2025 season with a 3-14 record. Carroll was let go as head coach of the Raiders earlier this January, showing the Raiders’ issues extend far beyond that of their head coach.
This is why many believe Pierce deserves another shot as a name on the coaching carousel in 2026. The situation he would hypothetically inherit in Atlanta would be much better than that of what he did in 2024 with Las Vegas — a more poised-and-ready-to-win-now group. As a defensive-minded individual and former pro linebacker himself, Pierce should be someone chomping at the bit to get a hold of this young and flashy Falcons defense.