Oakland Raiders Could Have Done Worse Than Naming Del Rio Head Coach

Following a disappointing 3-13 season, Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis entered the offseason looking to hire a “rock star” head coach. Having whiffed on the only two “rock star” caliber head coaching candidates available this offseason – Jon Gruden and Jim Harbaugh – Davis, GM Reggie McKenzie, and the Raiders were left with the likes of Pat Shurmur, Mike Shanahan, and Eric Mangini. In other words, rather than rock stars, the Raiders were left with the backing band and roadies of the coaching world.

There were a lot of signs pointing to the idea that given the dearth of coaching talent as well as ringing endorsements from the players, Oakland would opt to stay with the familiar, drop the interim tag from Tony Sparano’s title, and let him lead the Raiders into the 2015 season. Sparano after all, took over for the fired Dennis Allen four games into the 2014 season and despite a losing streak that reached 10 games to start the year, guided the Raiders to wins in three of their last six games, and had them playing better football overall.

But then Davis suddenly changed course and opted to go with the unfamiliar.

I don’t have to sugarcoat it, fellas. This is a production business. You produce, you’ll get compensated for your production. If you don’t, you won’t be playing, or you won’t be here.

First reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortenson on Wednesday, the Oakland Raiders and Jack Del Rio have agreed to a four-year pact. Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity have said that it’s a done deal, but the details aren’t available as the team isn’t scheduled to make an announcement of Del Rio’s hiring until Thursday at the earliest.

Del Rio’s history and limited success as a head coach – 68-71 regular season record, two postseason appearances, and just one postseason victory – are well known and documented, which is likely why teams with a head coaching vacancy weren’t exactly beating down his door. While other coordinators saw their names at the top of multiple wish lists, Del Rio didn’t garner a single head coaching interview other than in Oakland.

While he may not have been the hottest coaching commodity, Davis believes he is the right man to lead the Raiders going into next season. And he’s not alone in singing Del Rio’s praises. Raiders’ Hall of Famer John Madden was a strong proponent of Del Rio’s, as are some of his former players – most notably, former Raider linebacker Kirk Morrison, who played for Del Rio in Jacksonville. Said Morrison:

"“Jack would say, ‘I don’t have to sugarcoat it, fellas. This is a production business. You produce, you’ll get compensated for your production. If you don’t, you won’t be playing, or you won’t be here. I always loved the fact that he was a former player, so he knew what the guys were feeling like.’”"

While Del Rio isn’t the splashiest and flashiest of coaches out there, he is a solid hire for the Raiders. He was tough as nails as a player, and has been tough as nails as a coach, earning the loyalty and respect of his team along the way. The Raiders will immediately benefit from Del Rio’s presence and strong defensive mind. In Denver, he oversaw one of the NFL’s best defenses over the last three seasons while the Oakland’s defense was pushed around and effectively rendered toothless for much of 2014.

The Raiders’ defense was pushed all around the field and ranked at or near the bottom of most major statistical categories. Del Rio will give the Oakland Raiders a very badly needed edge on defense. He will install a toughness, attitude, and swagger on that side of the ball that Oakland has lacked for quite a long time.