Falcons' HC Morris Commends Raiders' Pierce

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- NFL coaches and general managers spoke to the media on Tuesday to begin this year’s NFL Scouting Combine.

When the regular season rolls around, there will be eight new NFL head coaches, including Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce.

Pierce was the Raiders’ interim coach for much the last half of the 2023 season, leading the Raiders to a 5-4 record and instilling an infectious culture.

The Raiders nearly made the postseason after losing five of their first eight games.

Among those eight new coaching hires, three are Black coaches, including Pierce. Before these new hires, the NFL had only three Black head coaches.

One of the other three Black head coach hires was Raheem Morris of the Atlanta Falcons. Morris gave his thoughts to our Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. about what it meant for him to see Pierce earn a head coaching job and the significance of hiring three Black head coaches.

“I thought the most interesting thing to me about this process of people getting head coaching jobs, I think it was three Black head coaches that became head coaches in this cycle, and I don’t think it was talked about,” Morris said. “I don’t think it was a segment on Sports Center. I don’t think it was a segment on anything that we talked about.

“Whether it was Black head coaches or it was just the best people for the job. I’m so happy to see Antonio get that job because he was obviously the best person for that job, for that Raiders organization. I’m so proud of him.

"To call myself a trailblazer, I never look at myself that way because it’s so many people in front of me, it’s so many people behind me that I’m just a part of it. I just want to make sure I make everybody else proud around us.”

Pierce takes over as the head man of the Silver and Black after he won over fans and players. The Raiders defeated their rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, on Christmas Day because of Pierce’s preparation.

Pierce joins an exclusive club of Black head coaches in the NFL, hoping to lead by example and lead the Raiders to victories.

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.

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again. Sign up RIGHT HERE for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes thrice a week and delivers all our best stories.

Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.