Klint Kubiak has made his first staff hire as Raiders head coach, bringing in veteran NFL coach Mike McCoy as assistant head coach. The move, announced Friday, adds a coach with extensive experience both as a head coach and offensive coordinator.
McCoy, 53, spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, where he was promoted to interim head coach for the final 11 games after Brian Callahan’s dismissal. He posted a 2-9 record in that role. Prior to that, he served as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterbacks coach for three seasons, helping Trevor Lawrence post consecutive 4,000-yard passing campaigns in 2022 and 2023.
McCoy’s head coaching experience includes four seasons with the San Diego Chargers from 2013-16, where he went 27-37. He also served as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (six years) and Arizona Cardinals (one year), and spent nine seasons on the Carolina Panthers’ offensive staff. Notably, he has worked with top quarterbacks such as Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning.
McCoy is expected to play a significant role in the development of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, should the Raiders select him with the No. 1 overall pick in April’s draft.
Meanwhile, the Raiders continue their search for a defensive coordinator. Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant has reportedly interviewed for the position. Pleasant, who has been with the Rams since 2023 and previously served as their cornerbacks coach from 2017-2020, helped the Rams finish sixth in interceptions and 11th in sacks last season. He has also coached with the Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, and Green Bay Packers, and spent two years at the University of Michigan.
Seattle Seahawks safeties coach Jeff Howard is also expected to interview for the defensive coordinator role, per reports. Howard previously worked with Kubiak in Minnesota and Seattle.
Additionally, Raiders run game coordinator/defensive line coach Rob Leonard interviewed for the defensive coordinator position, as reported Thursday.
Two potential candidates will not interview with the Raiders. Patriots quarterback coach Ashton Grant reportedly declined to speak with Las Vegas about the offensive coordinator spot, opting to remain in New England. The Seattle Seahawks also blocked assistant coach Justin Outten from interviewing for a run-game coordinator position with the Raiders, as Outten is a candidate for Seattle’s offensive coordinator vacancy.
As reported Thursday, the Raiders plan to interview Seahawks wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson for offensive coordinator.
