The Las Vegas Raiders are starting to put the pieces in place under new head coach Klint Kubiak, and over the weekend, the team gave fans a clearer picture of what the top of the coaching staff will look like heading into 2026.
The Raiders made a trio of key announcements: Andrew Janocko is stepping in as offensive coordinator, Rob Leonard has been promoted to defensive coordinator, and veteran coach Mike McCoy will serve as assistant head coach. Each move signals a deliberate balance of fresh perspective, internal continuity, and seasoned experience.
Andrew Janocko: A Quarterback Whisperer Takes the Reins
Let’s start with Janocko, the new offensive coordinator. He arrives in Las Vegas after working as quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks during their Super Bowl LX run.
According to the team, Janocko helped guide Sam Darnold to his second straight Pro Bowl in 2025, a season in which Darnold completed 67.7% of his passes for 4,048 yards and 25 touchdowns. That’s not just a bounce-back campaign - that’s a career year.
Janocko brings 14 years of coaching experience, including 12 in the NFL. His resume includes stops with the Saints, Bears, Vikings, and Buccaneers. He’s coached at nearly every level - from graduate assistant at Rutgers to quarterbacks coach at Mercyhurst - and now he’s set to call plays for the Silver and Black.
Kubiak’s offense is expected to be quarterback-friendly, and Janocko’s track record with Darnold suggests he knows how to get the most out of his signal-callers. That’s a crucial piece for a Raiders team that’s still shaping its identity under center. Janocko’s background in developing QBs, combined with Kubiak’s own experience as a former offensive coordinator, should give the Raiders a solid foundation on that side of the ball.
Rob Leonard: Internal Promotion with Proven Results
On the defensive side, Rob Leonard is getting a well-earned promotion. After serving as the team’s run game coordinator and defensive line coach, Leonard will now oversee the entire defense as coordinator.
Leonard’s impact has already been felt in the trenches. The Raiders finished tied for second in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed per attempt (3.9) and ranked third in tackles for loss (105). That’s not a fluke - that’s a unit playing fast, physical, and disciplined football.
A big part of that success? Maxx Crosby.
The Pro Bowl edge rusher posted 10 sacks and a staggering 28 tackles for loss last season - the second-most in the league. Under Leonard’s guidance, the Raiders’ front has been consistently disruptive, not just getting to the quarterback but blowing up plays behind the line of scrimmage.
Leonard has 16 years of coaching experience, including 13 in the NFL. Promoting from within sends a strong message: the Raiders believe in what they’ve been building defensively, and they’re trusting Leonard to take that momentum and expand on it.
Mike McCoy: Veteran Leadership in a Key Role
Rounding out the trio is Mike McCoy, who joins the staff as assistant head coach. McCoy brings over two decades of NFL coaching experience, including a four-year stint as head coach of the Chargers from 2013 to 2016. He’s also served as offensive coordinator for both the Broncos and Cardinals, and earlier in his career, spent nine seasons on the Panthers’ offensive staff.
Most recently, McCoy was with the Titans, where he started as a senior offensive assistant and finished the 2025 season as interim head coach. During that stretch, he worked closely with quarterback Cam Ward, who threw for over 3,100 yards with 15 touchdowns and seven picks. It wasn’t a perfect season, but Ward showed growth, and McCoy’s steady hand no doubt played a role in that development.
Bringing McCoy into the fold gives Kubiak a trusted veteran voice in the building - someone who’s been in the big chair and understands the challenges that come with leading a team. As assistant head coach, McCoy will likely serve as a sounding board for Kubiak while helping guide the offense and mentor younger coaches.
What It All Means for the Raiders
These moves paint a clear picture of the direction Kubiak wants to take his staff. He’s blending youth and experience, promoting from within where it makes sense, and bringing in outside voices with proven track records. Janocko offers upside and innovation on offense, Leonard provides continuity and toughness on defense, and McCoy adds leadership and perspective from years in the league.
The Raiders aren’t done building out their staff just yet, but with these three hires, the foundation is set. Now it’s about turning that structure into wins.