Marvin Lewis. Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Coach of the Year expected to join Antonio Pierce's staff with Raiders

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 1/20/24

With the interim tag removed from his job title, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce's first order of business might be to bring in an experienced football mind to join him.

According to several reports, former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis will be a member of Pierce's staff, though it's unclear what his role with the team will be. Lewis was with the Raiders unofficially once Pierce became the team's interim coach, but Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports he'll have a more "formal" title.

Pierce has a history with Lewis, having played under him in 2002 before they worked together as co-defensive coordinator at Arizona State in 2019.

Raiders working on deal with Antonio Pierce to remain as head coach.

(via @MikeGarafolo + @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/91nzXKOvzm
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2024

Solidifying a spot for Lewis on the Raiders staff is a smart move. Not only is he a familiar face, but he boasts a wealth of football knowledge after spending more than two decades coaching in the NFL.

Lewis first gained notoriety as a defensive coordinator, overseeing several top-five-ranked units with the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders. In 2003, he became the ninth head coach in Bengals history and the first African American to lead the franchise.

He'd hold the position for 16 years, winning four division titles for a team with only six total over the previous 34 seasons. Furthermore, despite failing to earn a postseason win, Lewis led the Bengals to the playoffs seven times, winning Associate Press Coach of the Year honors in 2009. Fired in 2018, he left as the team's all-time leader in wins with 131.

Meanwhile, insider Albert Breer hints that Lewis may not be the last familiar name the Raiders bring aboard. Along with Lewis, the team also discussed hiring another of Pierce's former head coaches, two-time Super Bowl winner Tom Coughlin, believing he could help with his "experience gap."

"He was very clear that he knows what he doesn't know and plans to bring on top people to cover his blind spots," Breer said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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