Raiders fans send clear message about their head coach preference

Sep 26, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A detailed view of the Las Vegas Raiders shield logo at midfield at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders ended their season on a high note by beating the Denver Broncos 27-14, and the performance prompted an outpouring of support from fans for one figure.

Raiders fans sent a clear message to owner Mark Davis by chanting for interim coach Antonio Pierce at the end of the game. The crowd could clearly be heard chanting “AP” during the final seconds of the game, via video from 8NewsNow’s Logan Reever.

“AP!” chants from the #Raiders fans in the final seconds pic.twitter.com/2qo3nGsCMT

— Logan Reever (@loganreever) January 8, 2024

The Raiders named Pierce their interim coach after firing Josh McDaniels following their Week 8 loss. They finished 5-4 under Pierce, which included a road victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, and wound up finishing second in the AFC West as a result. Pierce was credited with changing the mood around the team and the locker room, and has received strong endorsements from his players.

The question remains whether Pierce did enough to get the interim tag removed. Players and fans certainly think he has, but the chance to take a big swing at a marquee coach might prove too much for Davis to resist.