Raiders Hiring Kliff Kingsbury As Offensive Coordinator, AP Source Says
Feb 2, 2024, 10:04 AM
Head coach Lincoln Riley of the USC Trojans talks with offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 14, 2023 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring former Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury to be their offensive coordinator, a person informed of the decision told The Associated Press on Thursday night.
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The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been finalized.
This is the first major hire for new Raiders coach Antonio Pierce, who had the interim tag removed Jan. 19. Kingsbury will be in charge of trying to turn around a Las Vegas offense that was 27th this season yards per game (289.5) and 23rd in scoring (19.5-point average).
The Raiders also will have a decision to make at quarterback. Rookie Aidan O’Connell went 5-4 after being handed the job, but questions remain whether he has the ability to lead the Raiders into and deep in the playoffs.
“There hasn’t been a lot of years I’ve been the unquestioned starter going in, so I’m used to competing,” O’Connell said last week.
The #Raiders have locked in on Kliff Kingsbury as their new offensive coordinator. No deal yet but it’s expected to get done. Following a year at USC, the former #AZCardinals head coach returns to the NFL as part of Antonio Pierce’s coaching staff. pic.twitter.com/YmoEoeGBaW
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 2, 2024
The Raiders pick 13th in this year’s quarterback-deep draft, but the top names likely will be gone by the time Las Vegas’ spot comes up.
Kingsbury, 44, spent this past season at USC as an offensive analyst working with quarterback Caleb Williams, who many project will be drafted first overall. Before that, Kingsbury went 28-37-1 over four seasons as the Cardinals’ coach.
Raiders are expected to hire former Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2024
Arizona went 11-6 in 2021 and made the playoffs, but the Cardinals suffered several major injuries the following season and finished 4-13, resulting in Kingsbury’s dismissal. The firing came just 10 months after the Cardinals signed him to a contract extension.
In addition to Kingsbury, the Raiders interviewed former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher, Pittsburgh Steelers QB coach Mike Sullivan and ex-Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.
