Antonio Pierce
Las Vegas Raiders | |||||||||||||
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Position: | Head coach | ||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
Born: | Long Beach, California, U.S. | October 26, 1978||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Paramount (Paramount, California) | ||||||||||||
College: |
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Undrafted: | 2001 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
As a player: | |||||||||||||
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As a coach: | |||||||||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
As player: | |||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
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Head coaching record | |||||||||||||
Regular season: | 5–4 (.556) (NFL) 31–15 (.674) (high school) | ||||||||||||
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||||||
Coaching stats at PFR |
Antonio Durran Pierce
Pierce played nine seasons as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) and he won a
Early years
Pierce played high school football at Paramount High School in Paramount, California. As a senior for the Pirates, Pierce earned All-CIF Southern Section Division 2 accolades at linebacker while also playing at the fullback position.[2][3]
He then played two years of football at
As a senior at Arizona, he had three sacks, 77 tackles (ten for losses), two forced fumbles, one interception, and one blocked kick, earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention.[5]
Pierce was not taken in the 2001 NFL draft after his senior year because many NFL scouts considered him too undersized to play linebacker in the NFL.[6]
Playing career
Washington Redskins
The
It was not until the 2004 season, his fourth in the league, that he played a full season, upon replacing the injured Micheal Barrow.[7] That season, Pierce logged a career-high 114 tackles, 95 of them solo. He also had one forced fumble, one sack, and two interceptions, including a pick off Ken Dorsey returned 76 yards for a touchdown.
New York Giants
The New York Giants signed Pierce on March 3, 2005, to start at middle linebacker. He became the captain of the defense, and in 13 games, Pierce notched 100 tackles, 80 of them solo, two interceptions, and one forced fumble returned for a touchdown. His 2005 season ended early as he suffered a leg injury, against the Philadelphia Eagles, and missed the final three regular season games as well as the Giants' only postseason game, a 23–0 loss to the Carolina Panthers.
In 2006, Pierce recorded a career-high 138 tackles (109 solo), a sack, an interception, and defended eight passes. Pierce was named as a first alternate for the Pro Bowl. He was invited to play in Hawaii after Brian Urlacher suffered a toe injury in Super Bowl XLI, and withdrew from the Pro Bowl.
In the 2007 season, Pierce was a central figure in the Giants' path to their third Super Bowl title. He made a key tackle in the first half of the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, stopping running back Brandon Jackson on a screen pass on 3rd and 8,[8] saving a touchdown and forcing the Packers to settle for a field goal instead. The Giants would go on to win in overtime.[9]
Pierce was released by the team on February 11, 2010.
NFL career statistics
Legend | |
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Bold | Career high |
Regular season
Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
2001 | WAS | 16 | 8 | 53 | 44 | 9 | 1.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
2002 | WAS | 8 | 1 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2003 | WAS | 15 | 0 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2004 | WAS | 16 | 16 | 114 | 87 | 27 | 1.0 | 3 | 2 | 94 | 1 | 78 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
2005 | NYG | 13 | 13 | 100 | 80 | 20 | 2.5 | 7 | 2 | 41 | 0 | 24 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
2006 | NYG | 16 | 16 | 139 | 109 | 30 | 1.0 | 10 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | NYG | 16 | 16 | 102 | 76 | 26 | 1.0 | 8 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 28 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | NYG | 15 | 15 | 95 | 72 | 23 | 1.5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2009 | NYG | 9 | 9 | 55 | 40 | 15 | 1.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
124 | 94 | 691 | 535 | 156 | 9.0 | 39 | 7 | 169 | 1 | 78 | 43 | 8 | 10 | 17 | 1 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
2006 | NYG | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2007 | NYG | 4 | 4 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2008 | NYG | 1 | 1 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
6 | 6 | 42 | 34 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Retirement
Following his release, Pierce announced his retirement from football on July 8, 2010. He also stated that he would then begin his career as an NFL analyst for ESPN.[10]
Coaching career
High school
On February 7, 2014, Pierce was named the head coach at national powerhouse Long Beach Polytechnic High School, replacing Raul Lara, who stepped down as the head coach of the program after 13 seasons.[11] After an 11–2 first season, the Jackrabbits struggled under Pierce, missing the playoffs for the first time in 36 years in his second season at the helm. The struggles continued in 2016 and 2017, with the program failing to reach double digit wins in both years and getting blown out in the playoffs.
Arizona State
On December 21, 2017, Pierce announced his resignation as head coach and was named linebackers coach at
Las Vegas Raiders
In 2022, Pierce was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders as their linebackers coach under head coach Josh McDaniels.[16]
On October 31, 2023, Pierce was named the interim head coach of the Raiders following the firing of head coach Josh McDaniels.[17] On November 5, 2023, Pierce made his head coaching debut against the New York Giants, for whom he had previously played. The Raiders won the game 30–6.[18]
On December 14, 2023, the Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 63–21, scoring the most points in franchise history. A week later, on Christmas Day, the Raiders recorded their first win over the Kansas City Chiefs since 2020.
The Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention on New Year's Eve, following a 23–20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
On January 19, 2024, the Raiders officially named Pierce the 23rd head coach in franchise history.[19]
Personal life
Pierce is married to Jocelyn and is the father of seven. He currently resides in Palos Verdes Estates, California. His father, Cleo Burrows, is from Bermuda.
Inspired by his own experiences growing up in Compton, it has become Pierce's mission to improve the quality of life for the youth in the Long Beach/Compton area. For several years, Pierce has offered a free football camp for underprivileged youths.[citation needed]
In 2006, Pierce became the spokesperson for Giants Academy—a program for inner city youth geared toward helping these children succeed despite obstacles in their life. He is also involved in the "Read Across America" program where he reads to children whose parents are undergoing treatment for chemical dependency at the Odyssey House in Harlem.[20]
In 2007, Pierce received the "United Way Man of the Year" award and was honored by the Catholic Diocese for his support of the community.
Pierce was honored at the 2008 ESPY awards along with the Giants.
Plaxico Burress incident
Pierce was present when teammate
Broadcasting
Pierce served as a communications intern on The Howard Stern Show on May 7, 2008. He stated he would like to pursue a career in broadcasting after his NFL career.[25] Near the end of the day's show he asked to stay for the remainder of the week, which Stern agreed to.[26]
Head coaching record
NFL
Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result | ||
LV* | 2023 | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 2nd in AFC West | — | — | — | — |
LV | 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | TBD | — | — | — | — |
Total | 5 | 4 | 0 | .556 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
* Interim head coach
High school
Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
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Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits () (2014–2017) | |||||||||
2014 | Long Beach Poly | 11–2 | 6–0 | 1st | |||||
2015 | Long Beach Poly | 4–6 | 3–3 | 4th | |||||
2016 | Long Beach Poly | 7–4 | 6–0 | 1st | |||||
2017 | Long Beach Poly | 9–3 | 6–0 | 1st | |||||
Long Beach Poly: | 31–15 | 21–3 | |||||||
Total: | 31–15 | ||||||||
National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth |
See also
References
- ^ "Antonio Pierce Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "North's Claiborne Div. 4 player of year". Riverside Press-Enterprise. December 29, 1995. pp. F04.
- ^ Irvine, Steve (December 29, 1995). "Four Jackrabbits Named All-CIF". Long Beach Press-Telegram. pp. D3.
- ^ Dottore, Damian (December 14, 1997). "Mounties' defense rallies down stretch". The Orange County Register. pp. c15.
- ^ 2023 Arizona Football Media Guide. University of Arizona Athletics. 2023. p. 68.
- ^ DiTrani, Vinny (August 10, 2005). "Following Giant footsteps – Pierce wants to join Big Blue Dewil tradition of top linebackers". Bergen County Record. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012.
- ^ La Canfora, Jason (November 14, 2004). "Redskins Provide a Home for NFL Castaways: Unheralded Journeymen Anchor the League's Top-Ranked Defense". The Washington Post.
- ^ "YouTube".
- ^ "NFC Championship – New York Giants at Green Bay Packers – January 20th, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Leahy, Sean (July 8, 2010). "Ex-New York Giants LB Antonio Pierce retires, joins ESPN as NFL analyst". USA Today. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
- ^ Irving, Kyle (November 12, 2023). "Antonio Pierce high school: The story of Long Beach Poly's 99–9 win under new Raiders interim coach". Sporting News. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Sun Devil Football's Marvin Lewis and Antonio Pierce Named Co-defensive Coordinators, as well as Recruiting Coordinator and Associate head coach". Arizona State Sun Devils. February 4, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
- ^ Gardner, Michelle (January 20, 2021). "Antonio Pierce elevated to sole defensive coordinator at ASU". Arizona Republic. Retrieved January 29, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jake (February 3, 2022). "Timeline: ASU football fallout amid investigation into recruiting violations". Arizona Sports. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "Arizona State football defends self-imposed bowl ban". Arizona Sports. August 29, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ Levine, Ben (February 14, 2022). "Raiders To Hire Antonio Pierce As LB Coach". Pro Football Rumors. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Raiders name Antonio Pierce as Interim Head Coach". Raiders.com. November 1, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ "Giants vs. Raiders – Box Score – November 5, 2023". ESPN.com. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Antonio Pierce named Head Coach of the Las Vegas Raiders". Raiders.com. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "Antonio Pierce". mtsacfoundation.org. The Mt. SAC Foundation & Alumni Association. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ Branch, John (November 30, 2008). "Giants' Burress Shoots Himself Accidentally in Thigh". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
- ^ "Giants Put an End to Burress' season". CNN. Archived from the original on December 6, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
- ^ "Reference at sports.yahoo.com".
- ^ Schwartz, Paul (December 4, 2008). "Lawyer: Pierce Didn't Know About Gun". The NY Post. NYP Holdings Inc. News Corp. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
- ^ "The Howard Stern Show for May 7, 2008". Archived from the original on May 14, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Antonio Pierce interns for Stern, says Michael Strahan is done". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
External links
- Las Vegas Raiders bio
- Antonio Pierce at IMDb