Raiders expected to hire ex-NFL head coach as offensive coordinator

Barring a surprise, the Raiders are expected to hire former Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator.

Kingsbury, 44, spent last season as an offensive assistant at Southern California. He was Arizona’s coach before that from 2019-22.

Kingsbury was also Texas Tech’s head coach from 2013 to 2018.

The Cardinals’ record in four seasons under Kingsbury was 28-37-1. Arizona’s offense was in the top 10 in yards per game twice in that span. The Cardinals were sixth in 2020 and eighth in 2021.

Other candidates the Raiders interviewed were Rams passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson, Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher, former Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

Another candidate the team considered was UCLA coach Chip Kelly. The 60-year-old, who has coached the Oregon Ducks, Eagles and 49ers in addition to the Bruins, interviewed for the position.

The Raiders went with Kingsbury instead.

Coach Antonio Pierce said after his introductory news conference Jan. 24 fit would play a large role in his decision.

“Just like everything else that we’ve done throughout this process, I honestly believe this, I don’t think everybody is meant to be for the Raiders. I don’t think everybody is meant to play for the Raiders or coach for the Raiders,” Pierce said. “I think that’s going to be something I really dig into as we go into that process.”

Contact Vincent Bonsignore at vbonsignore@reviewjournal.com. Follow @VinnyBonsignore on X.