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Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff WriterDec 26, 2023, 03:55 PM ET
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- Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as its Las Vegas Raiders reporter. He has a multi-platform role – writing on ESPN.com, television appearances on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and podcast and radio appearances. Before coming to ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years at CSN Bay Area as a multi-platform reporter, covering the Raiders and Oakland Athletics as well as anchoring the SportsNet Central cable news show. Gutierrez votes for the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as the PFWA’s Las Vegas chapter president. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez has authored three books: Tommy Davis’ Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN
HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce is making his case to get the job full time, especially in the wake of a blowout victory over the Chargers and Sunday’s upset of the Chiefs.
“I’m going to keep saying it: As long as it looks right, sounds right and smells right, I’m fine with it. Win, lose or draw,” Pierce said Tuesday. “And I’m going to be me, and [the players] are going to be them. And when this bad boy’s over with, hopefully it all works out and we’re together for more years to come.
“And hopefully [Raiders owner] Mark Davis sees improvement and growth within our team. He sees the style and play that he wants from the Raiders. He sees a fan base that’s behind us. He sees a building that loves coming to work and loves being here and people that’s covering the team, enjoying covering the team. And at the end of the day, we got to win. And right now, my record, our record, is 4-3.”
Pierce, promoted from linebackers coach after the Halloween night firings of coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, has the Raiders playing inspired football, even as the two most recent wins came on the heels of a decidedly uninspired 3-0 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
At the time, Davis told ESPN that he was “intrigued” by Pierce and came away “impressed” with him after his interview, adding that he wanted Pierce to “lead, not necessarily coach. To delegate to the coordinators and other position coaches. Be somebody they could follow. I felt good about it. I felt good about him.”
Raiders right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said recently the players “love” playing for Pierce and Champ Kelly,
