Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce Hit With Significant Punishment from NCAA

It has been since 2021 that Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce worked at the college level with the Arizona State Sun Devils. After a ruling made by the NCAA this week, we may never see Pierce choose to work at the college level again.

The NCAA announced that Pierce is being hit with an eight-year show-cause due to recruiting violations from his time at Arizona State. This means that if Pierce were to ever return to the college ranks, he would have to serve a one-year suspension with whichever team he joins.

Pierce worked at Arizona State from 2018-2021, spending time under Herm Edwards and his staff. Edwards was eventually fired by the Sun Devils after going 26-20, and he was also suspended for five years for recruiting violations as well.

Pierce took over as the interim head coach of the Raiders in 2023 after serving as their linebackers coach. In 2024, he was hired as the full-time head coach but has had an up-and-down season so far.

Las Vegas is 2-2 so far with an impressive win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2, but tough losses to the Los Angeles Chargers and the Carolina Panthers. Pierce has also been in the news recently after the Davante Adams trade news started to circulate. A report online said that Adams had played his last snap as a member of the Raiders, and on Instagram, Pierce went and liked the post, which caused an uproar of confusion and negative headlines.

It wouldn't be a major surprise to see Pierce end up on the hot seat if the season continues to be one filled with frustrations for the Raiders.

Should Pierce be looking for a new job after this year is over, Thursday's news about his college suspension made the option pool much smaller.

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