The Raiders' head coaching search continues to evolve, and the latest development adds a familiar name to the mix: Brian Daboll. According to reports, Las Vegas has completed an interview with the former Giants head coach as they work to fill the vacancy on the sidelines.
Daboll brings a deep résumé and a well-traveled coaching background to the table. He’s been around the NFL block more than once, starting his career with the Patriots back in 2000 as a defensive assistant. By the time he left New England in 2006, he’d worked his way up to wide receivers coach, building a foundation in one of the most successful organizations of the modern era.
He moved on to quarterback coaching duties with the Jets from 2007-2008 before stepping into offensive coordinator roles with the Browns, Dolphins, and Chiefs in the early 2010s. After a second stint in New England (this time coaching tight ends from 2013-2016), Daboll spent a year under Nick Saban at Alabama, then took over as the Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021. That run in Buffalo helped elevate Josh Allen into one of the league’s top quarterbacks and put Daboll squarely on the radar for head coaching gigs.
The Giants hired him in 2022, and Daboll made an immediate splash, earning NFL Coach of the Year honors after guiding New York to a playoff win in his first season. But things didn’t stay rosy.
Over two seasons, the Giants struggled to sustain that early success, and Daboll finished his tenure with a 20-40-1 record. Still, that playoff win and his offensive acumen keep him in the mix for another shot at leading a team.
What’s particularly interesting about Daboll’s candidacy in Las Vegas is his past connection with Tom Brady from their shared time in New England. While Brady isn’t on the field anymore, he’s now part of the Raiders’ ownership group - and having that kind of relationship in your back pocket never hurts when decisions are being made at the top.
As for the broader coaching search, the Raiders’ list of finalists has thinned considerably. Mike McDaniel, once a finalist, has landed with the Chargers.
Jeff Hafley is heading to Miami. Jesse Minter is with the Ravens.
Ejiro Evero remains in the mix, but many of the top names have been scooped up elsewhere.
The Raiders have also cast a wide net with a long list of candidates, including Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Chiefs OC Matt Nagy, and Rams OC Mike LaFleur. Some, like Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak, have already withdrawn. Others, like Rams pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and DC Chris Shula, have been requested or scheduled for interviews.
It’s clear the Raiders are exploring every angle - from veteran coaches with head coaching experience to young up-and-comers with fresh ideas. Daboll fits somewhere in between. He’s seen the highs and lows of running a team, and he’s got a proven track record of developing quarterbacks and building offenses.
Whether that’s the direction the Raiders ultimately go remains to be seen. But with many of their initial targets off the board, Daboll could be emerging as a serious contender. And if his connection to Brady plays a role behind the scenes, it wouldn’t be the first time relationships helped shape a franchise’s future.
We’ll keep tracking this search as it unfolds - but for now, Brian Daboll is officially in the mix in Las Vegas.