Those looking for instant gratification when it comes to the Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching search are not going to be happy.
The Silver & Black is among nine NFL teams seeking to land a new head coach this offseason, and thus far, the Raiders’ venture in finding a replacement for Pete Carroll is deliberate. Las Vegas isn’t sitting on its laurels, of course.
Since waxing Carroll on “Black Monday” on Jan. 5, the Raiders interviewed five candidates with an addition six interviews requested. Our Bill Williamson broke down that 11 with his thoughts on where the coaching search stands on Wednesday.
Then, that same day, reports surfaced that Las Vegas was slated to interview Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero on Wednesday, which brought the number of known candidates to 11.
There are several checkpoints the Raiders reach before making a hire official, however.
Namely, there’s the Rooney Rule — teams must interview (in-person) at least two external minority and/or female candidates for the head coach gig. The playoffs enter the Divisional round this weekend with the AFC and NFC top seeds — the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, respectively — jumping into the fray after first-round byes. And we can expect potentially more interview requests coming to light after this round.
Thus, Raiders general manager John Spytek and minority owner Tom Brady — the two men earmarked to lead the search by owner Mark Davis — quest to hire a new head coach and steer the franchise in a proper direction has ample time.
That all noted, let’s get to my Top 5 known coach candidates for the Silver & Black:
1. Jesse Minter
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator: The Michigan Men theme is routinely brought up when it comes to Minter as Spytek and Brady are former Wolverines, too. But Minter’s ability to design and deploy a defense is something to behold. His disguised coverages and post-snap rotations confuse the opposition often making it look like Minter’s defense is steps ahead of the opposing offense.
He also stresses the fundamentals and his coaching style stresses simplicity and adaptability. Minter faces a steep climb to get the Raiders to Top 10 rankings like he had this past season with the Chargers — ranked ninth in points allowed (340), fifth in yards yielded (4,849), and seventh in takeaways (23) — but his relative youth and energy make him up for the task. At 42 years old, Minter steadily rose through the coaching ranks earning the praise and trust of the Brothers Harbaugh (current Bolts boss Jim and former Ravens coach John).
Oh, also, he brings two-years worth of experience and knowledge from within the AFC West. And that can’t be discounted.
2. Klint Kubiak
Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator: Just on his penchant to use heavy formations — 12 personnel — Kubiak is the type that can maximize the potential of both Raiders tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer if he donned Silver & Black. A bright and young offensive mind at 38 years old, Klint has taken what he’s learned from his father Gary and the Shanahans (Mike and Kyle) and put it on full display in Seattle.
The younger Kubiak orchestrates the third-best scoring offense (483 total points), eighth-best yards gained (5,973), along with the 10th-ranked rushing offense (2,096 yards). All this would bode well for core youngsters like Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty if Kubiak became the head honcho in Las Vegas.
Kubiak does run a balanced zone-based offense which effectively uses play action in the aerial attack. And he’s show the ability to put his players in the best possible position to succeed. But there are warts to his career, especially when a team’s roster and depth is whittled by injuries. But with the right personnel, Kubiak’s system is something to watch.
3. Davis Webb
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach/pass game coordinator: If the Raiders are intent to pair a head coach with quarterback as the No. 1 overall pick, Webb would be a solid choice as said coach. The 30-year-old QB coach and pass game coordinator for Sean Payton, Webb is lauded for his ability to be a communicator and mentor to signal callers in Denver.
Webb has a direct hand in Bo Nix’s development and being a former college and pro quarterback himself, the coach can easily relate and build relationships with football’s most important position. Having the on-field experience can help a rookie quarterback progress as Webb is in-tune with the trials and tribulations at the position.
While he’s worked with some of the games elite offensive minds as both player and a coach, Webb’s play-calling experience is very light as he’s only done it in preseason action.
4. Chris Shula
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator: Like Kubiak, Schula has strong NFL pedigree (grandson of legend Don Shula) and has learned from the best defensive minds in the game. He’s taken everything he’s learned to create a stingy defense for L.A. that ranks 10th in points allowed (346) while generating the fifth-best takeaways (26).
Shula has been with Rams head coach Sean McVay since 2017 and has steady progressed. He’s lauded for being approachable and sound communicator while also deploying adaptable schemes that cause confusion for the opposing offense with its array of pressure and blitz packages.
There’s a lot of work to be done with the Raiders roster and Shula’s career has showcased inconsistency when the roster isn’t up to snuff due to injury or lack of depth.
5. Kevin Stefanski
Former Cleveland Browns head coach: The lone retread on this list but only a year older than Minter, Stefanski did guide the Browns to two playoff appearances during his tenure leading the Browns. Which makes him accustomed to organizational dysfunction.
Stefanski is lauded for football IQ and quarterback development. And he’s had to adapt to quarterback changes during his head coach stint in Cleveland.
That said his play calling can be inconsistent and the execution of his offense equally erratic, resulting in his over cautious nature. Stefanski is a cool customer too and his calm demeanor is seen as lacky the requisite fiery personality often required to get the most out of his players.
