Shock reunion looms as Tom Brady sounds out Bill Belichik for Las Vegas Raiders coaching role
Antonio Pierce stood behind a lectern and took questions during an end-of-season news conference - all while the Las Vegas Raiders planned to fire the head coach,
The organisation could have informed Pierce that his services were no longer required and let him go on his way without speaking with the media after week 18.
But the vibrant Pierce once again was asked to represent the club and the Raiders sent mixed signals until the announcement of his firing on Wednesday (AEDT).
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“We appreciate Antonio's leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach,” the team said in a statement.
Antonio Pierce lasted just one full season as Raiders coach. Getty
“Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his silver and black roots run deep. We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organisation.
"We wish nothing but the best for Antonio and his family in the future.”
Pierce took over in an interim capacity mid-way through the 2023 season and went 5-4 the rest of the way as the players advocated for him to become the full-time coach.
But the Raiders, after a 2-2 start this season, went on a 10-game losing streak to finish a horror campaign with a 4-3 record.
Pierce struggled to keep his best players on the field, with Maxx Crosby spending time on the sidelines due to injury, while star receiver Davante Adams was traded.
The attention now turns to the coaching search and according to a shock report from NFL Network, minority owner Tom Brady has started putting out feelers to Bill Belichick.
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady during their time together in New England. Getty
Despite signing a five-year deal to coach at the University of North Carolina last year, Brady reportedly reached out to his long-time mentor regarding a reunion in Sin City and asked "what it would take" to get him back in the NFL.
The 72-year-old and Brady won six Super Bowl titles together at the Patriots before the star quarterback finished his career in Tampa Bay.
Mike Vrabel has also been rumored as a possible candidate for the Raiders position.
Raiders owner Mark Davis has said seven-time Super Bowl winner Brady will have big say in operations and it's expected that will include the coaching search.
