Raiders Name Telesco General Manager
In a little bit of a surprise, owner Mark Davis announced on Tuesday that the Las Vegas Raiders have hired Tom Telesco as their general manager.
Many people thought Davis would go with Champ Kelly, who took over on an interim basis when Davis fired Coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Dave Ziegler last Halloween, but while the Raiders dropped the Interim title from Coach Antonio Pierce recently, Kelly didn’t make the cut.
However, Kelly apparently will remain as assistant general manager, the posi5ion he held under Ziegler.
“Tom Telesco has been named General Manager of the Las Vegas Raiders. He becomes the fifth General Manager in franchise history,” the Raiders said in a story on their website.
What made the difference, apparently, was that Telesco has a history of doing the job.
© Trevor Ruszkowski | 2016 Feb 25
The 51-year-old Telesco was general manager of the Raiders’ AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers, until he and Coach Brandon Staley were fired on Dec. 15, one day after the Silver and Black routed the Chargers, 63-21, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Telesco is entering his 29th year in the NFL after spending the last 11 seasons as General Manager of the Chargers, who made three playoff appearances during that time and claimed two postseason victories while posting an 86-95 record.
During his time with the Chargers, they drafted six players in the first round who went on to be selected for a Pro Bowl, including cornerback Jason Verrett, running back Melvin Gordon III, defensive end Joey Bosa, safety Derwin James Jr., quarterback Justin Herbert and tackle Rashawn Slater.
Before joining the Chargers, Telesco spent 15 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, serving as a scout from 1998-2000, a pro scout from 2001-03, Director of Pro Scouting in 2004-05, Director of Player Personnel from 2006-11, and Vice President of Football Operations in 2012.
During that time, Telesco was involved in Colts’ drafts that selected four-time Pro Bowl running back Edgerrin James, five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Reggie Wayne, seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney and four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck.
While Telesco was with the Colts, they played in two Super Bowls, won eight division titles, and made 12 appearances in the NFL playoffs.
Telesco began his NFL career as a scouting assistant for the Carolina Panthers in 1995, where he served for two seasons before becoming an area scout in 1997. He also worked as a summer intern for the Buffalo Bills from 1991-94.4
After graduating from St. Francis High School in Hamburg, N.Y., Telesco played wide receiver at John Carroll University and helped the Blue Streaks capture the 1984 Ohio Valley Athletic Conference championship before he graduated with Bachelor of Business Management degree in 1985.
Telesco worked as a college summer intern for the Buffalo Bills from 1991–94, he began his NFL career as a scouting assistant for the Panthers.
The NFL's Career Development Symposium invited Telesco to be a speaker at their get-togethers in 2015 and 2018, and also serves as co-chairman of the NFL General Manager Advisory Committee.
Raider Nation is hoping that Telesco can select another future great when the Raiders made the 13th overall pick
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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