There was a time this offseason when it looked like Ben Johnson could become the Raiders next head coach. But Johnson accepted the head job in Chicago before every having an in-person interview with the Raiders. At which point the Raiders shifted focus to Pete Carroll and making the long time NFL head coach their new head coach.
When the dust settled, however, the Raiders seeming ‘fallback’ option looks to be at least on the same level.
The Athletic took a poll of 10 NFL executives and coaches in order to rank the best coaching hires across the league this cycle. Mike Vrabel took the top spot. In case you’re wondering, Vrabel never even considered interviewing for the Raiders. Former teammate Tom Brady reached out to gauge his interest and he basically said ‘don’t bother, I’m taking the Patriots job.’
After Vrabel, Carroll came in as a tie for second with the Raiders’ other choice, Ben Johnson, with both finishing with the same score (33). With Carroll finishing in the top three on nine of ten ballots.
“The roster is a ways away,” an executive told the Athletic. “(Carroll’s) energy, self-belief and ability to build culture is going to have an immediate impact on a place that hasn’t had it for a long time. The wins might not be there for a couple years. It won’t be three or four wins (per season), but probably seven or eight because of what he brings. I’d imagine they get a veteran quarterback right away, but do they have the time to take off with needing to get the players in place?”
While Johnson got one vote for favorite hire and Carroll received none, the two both receive five second place votes and Carroll received four third place votes.