Life moves fast in the NFL - just ask Klint Kubiak. One moment, he’s hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Seahawks, the next he’s touching down in Las Vegas as the new head coach of the Raiders.
Parade on Wednesday, back in the desert by Thursday. It’s been a whirlwind, but there’s no time to catch his breath.
The Raiders got a late jump in the hiring cycle, and Kubiak knows he’s already playing from behind.
So what’s priority No. 1?
Building a coaching staff that reflects his vision - tough, physical, and unified. Kubiak made that clear during his introductory press conference, where he emphasized collaboration and communication as foundational pillars for what he’s trying to build in Vegas.
“We’re going to be working hand-in-hand on coaches and the roster - everything,” Kubiak said. “That’s part of us being successful, is us working together.”
The Defensive Coordinator Hire Carries Weight
While Raider Nation is excited about the new era, there’s one hire that’s drawing particular attention: defensive coordinator. For the first time since 2021, someone other than Patrick Graham will be calling the shots on that side of the ball. And with Kubiak coming in as an offensive-minded head coach, getting the right voice to lead the defense is critical.
Kubiak is deep in that search already.
“I’m in the weeds of it right now,” he said. “We’re identifying candidates and going to be contacting guys and bringing them in.”
But it’s not just about schemes or resumes. Kubiak is looking for someone who brings a certain edge - a coach who demands effort and accountability, not just on Sundays, but every day leading up to them.
“I want to make sure we have a DC that is coaching effort first and technique. A guy that’s going to rip into somebody if they’re not finishing in practice, because that’s what helps you win in February.
It’s not the X’s and O’s - they’ve got 17 games of tape on you. It’s about how hard your guys play.”
That kind of mindset reflects what the Raiders want to be: a team that punches first and keeps swinging. And while Kubiak has made his name on the offensive side of the ball, he brings a defensive player’s mentality. He was a standout safety at Colorado State, and it still shapes how he sees the game.
“I think I’ll always see it that way - from the back end,” he said. “When you’re thinking about what’s going to give defenses problems, that’s kind of where I start. I’ve always felt like I had it from a defensive perspective.”
A Unified Staff, Not a Collection of Specialists
Kubiak isn’t looking to micromanage or impose a rigid system. He’s not trying to be Pete Carroll 2.0. Instead, he’s focused on building a staff that clicks - a group that works together, challenges each other, and stays aligned from Monday film sessions to Sunday kickoffs.
“The best teams are connected. You have each other’s back, and that comes from many hours in meeting rooms together. We like to meet together a lot so we’re all on the same page - so we can all get praised and corrected together in front of everybody.”
That cohesion, he believes, creates accountability. It also ensures that every coach - whether they’re installing red zone packages or working on special teams drills - is pushing toward the same goal.
And above all, Kubiak wants teachers. Coaches who can break things down, communicate clearly, and elevate their players week to week.
“We’re trying to put together a great staff of teachers,” he said. “We’ve got to get some really good teachers and coaches here, and get us all on the same page, and get our players going in the same direction.”
A Culture Shift in the Desert
General manager John Spytek echoed that same sentiment. He’s looking for more than just football IQ - he wants an identity shift. The Raiders, he says, need to feel different.
“Gritty, tough, physical. Violent is a word we like to use,” Spytek said.
“We want our tape to speak for us and precede us. This is the Raiders.
You need to feel us. We want you to wake up on Monday morning and be like, ‘That sucked.’”
That’s the kind of football the Raiders want to be known for - the kind that leaves an impression on opponents and fans alike.
Names in the Mix
As the staff takes shape, a few names are already surfacing. On the offensive side, Andrew Janocko is reportedly a frontrunner for offensive coordinator.
If Seattle promotes him internally, John Benton could be next in line. Other names potentially in the mix include Justin Outten and Jake Peetz, both of whom worked with Kubiak in Seattle.
Defensively, Jim Schwartz has been linked to the job, though there’s a sense he may sit out this cycle. Other potential candidates include Joe Cullen (Chiefs), Karl Scott (Seahawks), Jason Tarver (Browns), and Joe Woods (currently on the Raiders staff).
Whoever ends up with the keys to the defense, the message is clear: it’s not about flashy hires - it’s about the right fit. Coaches who can teach, connect, and demand the kind of effort that turns a good team into a great one.
Kubiak’s not promising instant results. But he is promising a process rooted in accountability, toughness, and cohesion. And if the Raiders can find the right mix of voices in the locker room and on the sidelines, they just might be on the verge of something real.