Rich Bisaccia took over as interim coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on October 11 after Jon Gruden resigned following the revelation of racist and homophobic emails he’d sent. At the time, the Raiders were 3-2 and had lost two in a row. Bisaccia led the team to wins in their next two games and they eventually finished with a 10-7 record as he became the first interim head coach since Bruce Arians in 2012 to lead their team to the postseason.
While nothing in the NFL world is ever certain, many assumed that since Bisaccia was well-liked by his players and he’d succeeded in getting to the playoffs, the interim label would be removed from his title and he’d get the chance to be the head coach moving forward.
However, it hasn’t quite worked like that for owner Mark Davis, who likely has his eye on a home-run hire like Jim Harbaugh or Bill Belichick protégée Jerod Mayo. Still, the drumbeat for the Raiders to maintain continuity and give Bisaccia the chance he’s earned has gotten louder in recent days. Finally, per Ian Rapoport, the interim coach is getting his chance to make his case.
The #Raiders will conduct their interview with interim coach Rich Bisaccia today for their head coach job, source said. His chance to stake his claim.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 19, 2022
While some feel that Bisaccia shouldn’t even have to interview (what is he going to tell Davis that he already doesn’t know), others wonder if this is just a courtesy move before the Raiders select someone else.
Interview… shouldn’t they know him by now?? https://t.co/q4fzeMi5a2
— 𝕁𝔸ℂℚ𝕌𝔼ℤ 𝔾ℝ𝔼𝔼ℕ (@JacquezGreen) January 19, 2022
His season should speak for itself. They would be wise to have him as their head coach https://t.co/sPw1ljsgWC
— Troy King (@TKingMode) January 19, 2022
They should just give him a hand written thank you note & go get Harbaugh https://t.co/kY1sancxtP
— David Lang (@Dukielang) January 19, 2022
It's insulting to Bisaccia that he would even have to interview for the job.. https://t.co/d2JgFDbP4p
— BBCInMemoriam (@BBCInMemoriam) January 19, 2022
No word on when the Raiders might make their decision but there will be a lot of people disappointed if Bisaccia doesn’t get the job.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.