For the primary time in 4 years, the New York Giants seek for a brand new lead man. Normal supervisor Joe Schoen is involved in speaking to some skilled leaders, comparable to Kevin Stefanski and Mike McCarthy, however maybe essentially the most fascinating identify on the Giants’ checklist is Antonio Pierce.
Pierce performed linebacker for the Giants from 2005-09. He captained a Tremendous Bowl-winning protection, and made the Professional Bowl in 2006. Now, he might return to the Meadowlands as a coach. Pierce impressed the Giants throughout his interview this previous week, and is a “born chief” that “discovered lots from Tom Coughlin,” the Athletic experiences.
Throughout Sunday’s version of “The NFL At the moment+” Pierce obtained questions on his eventful week, and the curiosity from the Giants.
“Properly the start of the week is plenty of finding out, you are prepping for the playoffs and different groups, and the best way January works within the Nationwide Soccer League, there’s alternatives,” Pierce stated. “I’ve simply been lucky sufficient to have a pair cellphone calls and conversations with some groups and a few gents that I respect very effectively throughout the river over in New Jersey. It was an excellent week. It was promising, and like all the pieces else, you place your greatest foot ahead given the chance you take advantage of out of it. Let the chips fall the place they fall.”
Following 9 NFL seasons, Pierce started his teaching profession at Lengthy Seaside (Calif.) Poly Excessive Faculty. He then moved to Arizona State as linebackers coach, affiliate head coach and defensive coordinator earlier than the Las Vegas Raiders employed Pierce to be their new linebackers coach in 2022.
When Vegas fired Josh McDaniels in the midst of the 2023 season, the Raiders made Pierce interim coach. He galvanized the staff, and led Vegas to a 5-4 end. The Raiders registered a historic, 63-21 win over the rival Los Angeles Chargers, and an upset victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Christmas Day. In 9 video games with Pierce on the helm, the Raiders led the NFL in scoring protection (16.0 factors allowed per sport).
“All people respects him. He is a pacesetter,” Raiders star move rusher Maxx Crosby instructed CBS Sports activities in 2024. “Former Tremendous Bowl champion, former captain and he can relate to the fellows. He has actual relationships together with his gamers, and that is one thing that I respect him for. He takes time to spend time with my household. He met my mother and father, met my spouse, met my daughter. He takes the time to know who you’re so he can have that actual relationship. So if he wants one thing from me on the sphere or he calls me out, he is not popping out of pocket. He is attempting to assist me. And that is what being a pacesetter is.”
After the season, the Raiders employed Pierce because the full-time coach. Nonetheless, he was unable to copy the success Vegas had in 2023, because the Raiders completed the yr with a 4-13 document and moved on from Pierce.
Pierce absolutely discovered helpful classes throughout his time in “Sin Metropolis.” He possesses distinctive perspective being a former participant, and confirmed the power to shortly flip a shedding staff right into a successful one. Now, he hopes to steer New York.
