Pete Carroll has made a change to his coaching staff.
Less than 24 hours after a rough showing from the Raiders’ third phase of the game, Carroll has fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported.
The team has since announced McMahon’s firing and elevated assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II to coordinator on an interim basis.
“Earlier today, we made the tough decision to relieve Tom McMahon of his duties as special teams coordinator,” head coach Pete Carroll said in a statement released by the Raiders. “I have a great amount of respect for Tom and the work that he has done in this league, but we have decided to move in a different direction. … We are grateful for Tom and his work here with the Raiders and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Amid a season filled with frustrating mistakes, Thursday night’s 10-7 loss to the AFC West rival Broncos served as the tipping point regarding special teams. Punter AJ Cole had a punt blocked in the third quarter, leading to Denver’s go-ahead field goal from 32 yards out, while kicker Daniel Carlson missed what would have been a game-tying 48-yard field goal wide right, wasting the Raiders’ best scoring opportunity and their last chance of extending and/or winning the game.