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Former head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, Josh McDaniels, reportedly learned of his firing in a rather unfortunate manner. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, McDaniels had just finished trick-or-treating with his children on Halloween night when he received the news. "The tenor of a fun Halloween night had quickly spun into the cold reality of the coaching business," Howe wrote.
McDaniels and General Manager Dave Ziegler were fired by owner Mark Davis following a frustrating Monday night loss to the Detroit Lions, which left the team with a 3-5 record for the season. Antonio Pierce and Champ Kelly have since replaced McDaniels and Ziegler, respectively.
McDaniels and Ziegler had ed the Raiders in 2022 after successful tenures with the New England Patriots, where they won a combined nine Super Bowls. However, the duo was unable to replicate their success in Sin City, leaving with a disappointing record of 9-16.
This is not the first time McDaniels has been fired mid-season. He was previously let go by the Denver Broncos in 2010 with a record of 11-17 in his second year as head coach. Despite this setback, McDaniels remains a well-respected coach in the NFL.
McDaniels has not been able to handle the head coaching position
The firing of McDaniels and Ziegler came as a surprise to many, given that they had taken over a Raiders team that was coming off a 10-win season and its first playoff appearance in five years. However, their inability to turn things around ultimately led to their dismissal.
The Raiders have since won their first game under Pierce's leadership, dominating the New York Giants 30-6. The team will look to continue their winning streak when they host the New York Jets this Sunday.
The coaching business can be unpredictable and ruthless, as McDaniels' recent experience has shown. However, it is not uncommon for coaches to face such challenges. As former NFL coach Bill Parcells once said, "You are what your record says you are." In the end, it is the results on the field that determine a coach's fate.