Antonio Durran Pierce is a former American football linebacker and the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, as of the 2024 NFL season. He played nine seasons as a linebacker, with his career highlight coming in the 2007 season, when he won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants. Despite going undrafted, Pierce carved out a successful playing career, starting with the Washington Redskins, before moving to the Giants.

Before his NFL career, Pierce played collegiate football for the Arizona Wildcats from 1999-2000. After his playing career ended, he transitioned into coaching. He started at the high school level, becoming the head coach at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 2014. Pierce then moved to college coaching, serving as an assistant coach at Arizona State University from 2018 to 2021.

Antonio Pierce Personal Information

Antonio Pierce Early Life

Antonio Pierce attended Paramount High School in Paramount, California, where he showcased his versatility on the field. As a senior, Pierce's talents were recognized, when he earned All-CIF Southern Section Division 2 honors as a linebacker. He also demonstrated his offensive skills by playing fullback for the Pirates.

He spent two years at Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California from 1997-1998. Pierce played a crucial role in leading the Mounties to the CCCAA state title in 1998. In a closely contested championship game against San Francisco City College, he made a pivotal fourth-quarter interception that helped secure a 38-35 victory for Mt. SAC.

Pierce's performance at the sophomore level earned him an opportunity to transfer to the University of Arizona. As a senior for the Wildcats, he put up impressive numbers that showcased his all-around abilities as a linebacker. His stat line included three sacks, 77 tackles (with ten for losses), two forced fumbles, one interception, and one blocked kick. These contributions earned him All-Pac-10 honorable mention recognition.

Despite his collegiate success, Pierce faced challenges in entering the NFL. He went undrafted in 2001, primarily because many NFL scouts viewed him as undersized for a professional linebacker.

Antonio Pierce's Coaching Career

High School Coach (2014-2016)

On February 7, 2014, Pierce took his first step into coaching when he was named the head coach at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, a renowned national powerhouse in high school football. He replaced Raul Lara, who had led the program for 13 successful seasons. In his first season, he guided the team to an impressive 11-2 record.

However, in his second season, the Jackrabbits missed the playoffs for the first time in 36 years, a significant setback for the storied program. The 2016 and 2017 seasons continued to be difficult, as the team struggled to reach double-digit wins and faced heavy defeats in the playoffs.

Arizona State University (2017-2022)

On December 21, 2017, Pierce resigned from Long Beach Poly to become the linebackers coach at Arizona State. After two seasons, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator, sharing the role with Marvin Lewis in 2019. On January 20, 2021, Pierce became the sole defensive coordinator for the Sun Devils, along with being the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. However, Pierce's time at ASU ended amid controversy. He resigned during an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations prior to the 2022 season.

Las Vegas Raiders (2022-Present)

Pierce’s career in the NFL began once again, when the Las Vegas Raiders hired him as the linebackers coach under head coach, Josh McDaniels. However, a significant turning point came on October 31, 2023, when Pierce was named the interim head coach,following the firing of Josh McDaniels. On November 1, he named Aidan O'Connell as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, benching Jimmy Garoppolo. Pierce's head coaching debut came on November 5, 2023, against his former team, the New York Giants. The Raiders won 30-6, scoring their season-high in points at that time.

On December 14, 2023, Pierce led the Raiders to a historic 63-21 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, setting a franchise record for most points scored in a game. The team showed improvement under Pierce's leadership, including a notable win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, their first victory against the Chiefs since 2020. Although the Raiders were eliminated from playoff contention following a close 23-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on New Year's Eve, Pierce's impact was clear. On January 19, 2024, the Raiders made it official, naming Antonio Pierce the 23rd head coach in franchise history.

Antonio Pierce's Playing Career

Before becoming a coach, Antonio Pierce had a successful nine-year career as an NFL player, known for his intelligence on the field and his leadership abilities.

Washington Redskins (2001 - 2004)

Despite going undrafted, he was signed by the Washington Redskins as a free agent in 2001. In his rookie season, Pierce played in all 16 games, starting in eight of them. The 2002 and 2003 seasons were quieter years for Pierce, as he played sporadically, recording only 18 and 15 tackles respectively.

Pierce's breakout came in the 2004 NFL season, when he replaced the injured Micheal Barrow. He seized the opportunity, logging a career-high 114 tackles (95 solo), along with one forced fumble, one sack, and two interceptions.

New York Giants (2005 - 2009)

Pierce signed with the New York Giants on March 3, 2005, where he would spend the rest of his playing career and achieve his greatest success. He quickly became the captain of the Giants' defense. During the 2005 NFL season, Pierce played 13 games, recording 100 tackles (80 solo), two interceptions, and one forced fumble returned for a touchdown.

His season was cut short by a leg injury against the Philadelphia Eagles, causing him to miss the final three regular-season games and the Giants' playoff game. He recorded a career-high 138 tackles (109 solo), a sack, an interception, and eight passes defended during the 2006 NFL season. His performance earned him a spot as a first alternate for the Pro Bowl and he eventually played in Hawaii, after Brian Urlacher withdrew due to injury.

The 2007 NFL season was a landmark year for Pierce and the Giants, culminating in a Super Bowl victory. Pierce made crucial plays throughout the season, including a key tackle in the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers that helped the Giants secure their overtime win.

Pierce's tenure with the Giants ended on February 11, 2010, when he was released by the team. His time in New York was marked by leadership, consistent performance and a Super Bowl championship, cementing his legacy as a key player in Giants’ history.

Antonio Pierce's Family

Antonio Pierce is a father of seven children and is married to his wife, Jocelyn Pierce, a licensed real estate agent. She studied communications at Central Connecticut State University and later pursued additional certification at Florida International University. After graduation, Jocelyn worked as a sports reporter for Fox Sports Net for two years. In 2010, she joined the NFL Network as a news host, a position she held until 2011.

In 2014, Jocelyn transitioned to real estate, joining Christie's International Real Estate/Strand Hill Properties. She later moved to Vista Sotheby's International Realty, where she specialized in home buying, relocating, and leasing. Seeking to expand her brand, Jocelyn became a sole proprietor in 2017. In 2022, she joined eXp Realty as a full-time realtor. According to the New York Times, the Pierce family faced financial challenges. In June 2024, Jocelyn filed for bankruptcy, citing approximately $28 million in debt.