Even if Bill Belichick gets let go by the Patriots, Howie Long says that the Las Vegas Raiders should look elsewhere for a new head coach
Following the mid-season firing of head coach Josh McDaniels, the Las Vegas Raiders have been rumored to be in the market to make a big move with their next hire. While interim coach Antonio Pierce has done an admirable job, it’s no secret that the franchise will inevitably look elsewhere with their next hire. Raiders legend and Hall of Famer Howie Long recently weighed in on the topic, and – somewhat surprisingly – he says there’s at least one high-profile name the team should avoid bringing in to take over.
Long, 63, spent his entire 13-year career playing for the Raiders franchise, in both Los Angeles and Oakland. Since his retirement, he’s served as a top analyst for the NFL on Fox, but he still has close ties to the team.
Howie Long stressed the importance of management getting it right in selecting the next Las Vegas leader. Led by owner Mark Davis and minority partner Tom Brady, the next coach is expected to be in the mold of ‘the Patriot Way’ that the G.O.A.T. learned playing under Bill Belichick. And by the year’s end? Belichick himself might be available. The Patriots were a dismal 3-10 heading into week 15, and it’s looking more and more likely that he won’t return for a 25th season in New England.
So it might be tempting for Brady to call up the same play caller that he won six Lombardi Trophies with, just to see if they can resurrect some of those winning ways out in the desert. But Howie Long says that Belichick should not be an option for the Raiders in 2024 and that the organization needs to look elsewhere.
RELATED: Raiders Players And Staff Reportedly Ripped Josh McDaniels In A Team Meeting Just Before His Firing
“I think we just had the ‘Patriots Way’ in there,” Long said in a recent interview on Up & Adams, referring to former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ recent stint as head coach. (McDaniels was considered one of Belichick’s proteges).
“It’s an interesting organization. It’s an organization that historically has had a lot of success and a lot of great players. I remember when I got there as a young player, you didn’t have to look far to see greatness because it was all around me.
“To try to come in and wipe that history and the kind of philosophy, or the culture of that team and not respect that,” Long stated. “Not that I’m saying that [McDaniels] didn’t respect the culture, but it was a little bit, in my mind and from what I’m hearing, overboard on the New England thing.”
Despite New England’s regression over the past few seasons, Belichick still owns the greatest resume of any head coach in NFL history. Not only does he have those six Super Bowl rings, he also led the Patriots to an unprecedented eleven consecutive AFC East Division titles from 2009 to 2019. Entering week 15, he owned a career record of 300-161 in 29 NFL seasons with the Pats (24 years) and previously, the Cleveland Browns (5).
Still, Howie Long says the Raiders need to focus on their franchise’s heritage – not draw off the aura of Belichick and the Patriots. He thinks that the next coach should focus on the Raider Way… and leave everything else at the Silver and Black door.
“I think somebody has to come and walk a fine line of, ‘Hey, this is how we’re gonna do things but, at the same time, I really respect and admire and appreciate and will communicate the kind of history this team has had.’”
FOLLOW RYAN BOMAN ON X
