Oakland Raiders Fire Coach: The Top 5 Replacements For Dennis Allen

OAKLAND – It was not a welcome homecoming for Dennis Allen. The Raiders head coach and his team arrived back from London on Monday evening when the young defensive wunderkind received a phone call. It was Raiders General Manager, Reggie McKenzie. McKenzie informed Allen that the Raiders were no longer interested in his services and that he was fired.

Allen was four games into his third season as head coach of the Raiders and his 8-28 record as head coach and his current 10-game losing streak was the worst in the Al and Mark Davis era. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports was the first to report the firing.

Allen was the first coach hired by Al Davis’ son Mark, following Al’s death in October of 2011. The Davis family has a history of firing coaches four games into the season, as Allen becomes the third coach to suffer the week four axe under the watchful eye of the Davis family. Mike Shannahan was fired after four games in 1989 and Lane Kiffin in 2008.

The Raiders organization has been dreadful for the past decade. Their 11 straight losing seasons is among the worst in league history and the new interim head coach, will make the 8^th different coach the Raiders have had over that time.

The Raiders are expected to announce a new coach later today (Tuesday), and we have decided to help Mark Davis and GM Reggie McKenzie with their search. Because the Raiders made a move in the middle of the season, their options are limited as any current coaches or broadcasters are under contract for the remainder of the season. More than likely the Raiders next coach will come from within, but regardless, here are the top 5 candidates for the job:

#5 Bill Cowher

Earlier this year, coach Cowher told the media that he believes he will coach again. Despite several NFL teams contacting Cowher this summer, Cowher chose to return to television where he is a studio analyst for CBS. The Raiders are looking to make a splash with their next head coach, and Cowher would certainly be that. It’s more likely that Cowher would take the position after the season ends, if it all, more than likely when Cowher does return to the sidelines it will be for a team that is primed to make a Super Bowl run, that’s not the Raiders as they are currently constructed. However, we still have to mention his name as a possible candidate.

#4 Tony Sparano

If the Raiders don’t want to miss a beat, Tony Sparano is your next coach. Sparano is the Raiders current assistant head coach, offensive-line coach, and therefore the most likely candidate for the job. Additionally, Sparano is the only coach on the Raiders staff with recent head coaching experience as he was the coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2008 to 2011. But let’s be honest, Mark Davis would not have fired Dennis Allen if he wanted more of the same, therefore making the likelihood of Sparano being named interim coach unlikely.

#3 Al Saunders

Saunders is the veteran of our five candidates, and a strong candidate to take over the job on an interim basis. If Raiders owner, Mark Davis, decides that he’s going to completely clean house and fire his GM, and all coaching staff after the season, than Saunders is the right man for the job, now. His experience and respect within the organization should be able to right the ship for the final twelve games. Saunders is currently an offensive assistant with the team, and has been there since 2011. He has experience as a head coach with the San Diego Chargers (1986-1988) and as an offensive-coordinator where he lead the Kansas City Chiefs offense under Dick Vermeil (2001 – 2005).

#2 Jon Gruden

A guy can dream can’t he? Gruden will be the first call Owner Mark Davis makes in his coaching search, guaranteed. Gruden is exactly the superstar coach that Davis wants to hire, and the two are close friends. Additionally, Gruden is a legend amongst Raider nation and the organization would be willing to back the truck up if Gruden were interested in the job. However, Gruden is currently under contract with ESPN as a broadcaster for Monday Night Football. He’s become a staple within the ESPN family, and it would be hard to see him leave the booth for big black. Also, Gruden has vocally stated his dislike for GM Reggie McKenzie and we doubt he would take the job with McKenzie in place. There’s a small chance, that Gruden could take the job in the offseason after McKenzie is inevitably fired. Until then, anyone who thinks Gruden will return to the Raiders sideline has their head in the clouds.

#1 Greg Olson

If the Raiders are determined to place their future in the hands of Derek Carr, than Greg Olson might be the right replacement for Allen. Olson is Oakland’s current Offensive-coordinator and has developed a strong personal relationship with Carr. In addition to acting as a mentor for Carr, he has a sound reputation within the organization and has earned the respect of owner Mark Davis. Olson is young, and more of an offensive coach which would be a stark contrast from Allen. If Davis wants Olson to remain with the franchise for the long term, than he will tell McKenzie to hire him. Is he the right choice? We doubt it, but stay tuned as we believe an announcement naming Olson as the interim coach is just hours away…