The Las Vegas Raiders fired their head coach and general manager in the most Raiders ay possible — with the news breaking just after Halloween.
Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler, both hired in January, 2022, were relieved of their responsibilities by owner Mark Davis, and the team subsequently released a statement on social media.
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 1, 2023
McDaniels signed a six-year contract, which leaves the Raiders having to pay off the remaining four years. Per ESPN, linebackers coach Antonio Pierce will be interim head coach.
The Raiders were 3-5 this season, and 9-16 in McDaniels’ tenure. McDaniels, the New England Patriots’ longtime offensive coordinator, previously served as the Denver Broncos’ head coach in 2009 and 2010, putting together an 11-17 record before he was fired there.
Despite the late-night nature of the firings, social media was quick to respond, because social media never sleeps.
Mark Davis waiting until Halloween to fire him like Michael Scott https://t.co/z7tdgppHrC pic.twitter.com/NQuCqkbR7f
— Deryck (@DeryckG_) November 1, 2023
Mark was pissedddddddddd https://t.co/sSZ7NuumgN
— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) November 1, 2023
Feel like we aren’t talking enough about the fact that the Raiders not only fired their head coach eight weeks into the season but also their GM.
Can’t think of the last time a team cleaned house like this midseason. Especially this early.
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) November 1, 2023
So you’re just gonna tank the Raiders, get fired, and get paid anyway for the next 4+ years?
Josh McDaniels: pic.twitter.com/8xta46LFJ6
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) November 1, 2023
You could sense the frustration in the #Raiders locker room last night and the overall sense that something needed to change.
A day later the #Raiders fire Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler. McDaniels went 9-16 during his time as head coach. pic.twitter.com/LzPkVceXnd
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) November 1, 2023
Raiders already took Josh McDaniels off their website pic.twitter.com/fflsXl4NbY
— Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) November 1, 2023
Josh McDaniels and Bill Belichick in about 2 days #Patriots pic.twitter.com/SChsYsIoR1
— Paul Beckwith (@paulbeckwith96) November 1, 2023
not Josh McDaniels job anymore either https://t.co/5XDT4UXL8b pic.twitter.com/C1Ik3T2qcn
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 1, 2023
Josh McDaniels went 9-16 as #Raiders coach and accomplished all of this in less than 2 years:
Lost to an undrafted D2 rookie QB making 1st start
Lost to HS coach in 1st NFL game
Blew double-digit lead to QB who never practiced w/ team
Blew biggest lead in franchise history (20…— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) November 1, 2023
I tell you: The Raiders firing GM David Ziegler and HC Josh McDaniels at 1amET on Halloween night is SO on brand.
— Jason Smith (@howaboutafresca) November 1, 2023
Monday Night debacle in 03 vs GB. I told Al Davis after the game, you have to make a change for the soul of your organization! Mid-season changes are not easy, so kudos to Mark for making this move.
— Tim Brown (@81TimBrown) November 1, 2023
Josh McDaniels is the first non-interim coach in the Super Bowl era to be fired by 2 franchises before the end of his second season with each #Raiders #Broncos
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) November 1, 2023
