Rich

Bisaccia

Bisaccia and the Colts met over a week ago and are now prepared for another sit-down. In what has proven to be an extensive coaching search for the Colts, Bisaccia is one of several candidates who have received a second interview as they look to beat out former interim head coach Jeff Saturday. Bisaccia last led the Raiders to a 7-5 record in 2021 following the dismissal of John Gruden, but wasn’t asked to return as head coach after the season. He spent the past season in Green Bay serving as the team’s special teams coordinator.

Bisaccia put his name on the map for future head coaching gigs by taking over as interim head coach for the Raiders after John Gruden was fired. He arguably saved the Raiders’ season as it was set to spiral out of control, spurring them to a 7-5 record and a playoff berth under his watch. He was not retained by Las Vegas after the season and went on to join the Packers. Bisaccia has been well-liked by players at every stop in his career and has a minor stint of head coaching experience under his belt. Though there are a few masterminds on the offensive and defensive side of the ball looking for head coaching gigs, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Colts go off the board with their next boss.

The Titans won the AFC’s No. 1 seed despite playing with an NFL-record 91 different players on the active roster throughout the season. Weathering the loss of Derrick Henry for most of the season as well as watching Julio Jones and A.J. Brown spend time on IR, the Titans managed to go undefeated against the cream of the NFL’s crop, besting the Bills, Chiefs, Rams, and 49ers in the regular season. Vrabel rightfully got an extension after the season. Packers HC Matt LaFleur finished second with eight votes, and Raiders interim HC Rich Bisaccia (3), Bengals HC Zac Taylor (2), and Patriots HC Bill Belichick (1) also received votes.

Bisaccia received a pair of head-coaching interviews this offseason after keeping the Raiders from going off the rails post-Gruden. However, Las Vegas and Jacksonville ultimately went different ways. That left Bissacia as the hottest special teams coordinator on the market and he also interviewed for the same role with Chicago. Pro Football Focus ranked the Packers as the second-worst special teams squad in the league. That weakness ultimately cost them their season in the NFC Championship as a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown bounced them from the playoffs.

Derek Carr, Josh Jacobs, and Maxx Crosby spoke glowingly of Rich Bisaccia’s leadership in the days before the Raiders hired McDaniels as their next head coach. Bisaccia, a real football guy who endeared himself to players and fans, helped right the Raiders ship after Jon Gruden was fired following the publication of racist emails. He led Vegas to an improbable playoff berth and fell just short of upsetting the Bengals in the Wild Card round. Tafur reported the Raiders “coaching staff was disappointed and a little bitter” by the news of McDaniels’ hiring. McDaniels, whose first head coaching stint (with Denver) was an abject disaster, has a lot of trust-earning to do in the coming weeks and months. “The players will get over it. They always do,” Tafur said. “They have no choice. They will meet McDaniels and be optimistic by training camp.”

The dysfunctional Jags are galaxy-braining their latest head coaching search; Bisaccia will be their ninth head coaching interview. Bisaccia, 61, who wasn’t retained by the Raiders and was nearly certain to be Chicago’s next special teams coach as of last week, now has a shot to land Jacksonville’s top job. Well liked by Raiders players and fans alike, Bisaccia is no one’s idea of a long-term coach who can turn around a hopelessly bumbling franchise like the Jaguars. Apparently the team was not as sold on Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich as some reports indicated.

Well regarded ST coordinator Chris Tabor has opted not to sign on with new coach Matt Eberflus’ staff, instead heading to Carolina. The fact that the Bears are “zeroed in” on Bisaccia as Tabor’s replacement is just the latest indication Bisaccia is not being seriously considered for the full-time gig in Las Vegas. Bisaccia went above and beyond expectations following Jon Gruden’s ouster, but the Raiders evidently aren’t willing to roll the dice on a 61-year-old first timer. Bisaccia has certainly proven to be an exemplary leader.

Bisaccia, 61, was with coach Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay and joined his Vegas staff in 2018 when Gruden made his return to the sideline. Bisaccia is now replacing Gruden following his resignation Monday. The longtime assistant and special teams coach has never been a head coach at any level. After starting the season 3-0, the Raiders have lost two straight and appear to be in an organization-wide tailspin.

Bisaccia served as Gruden’s special teams coordinator for seven seasons in Tampa Bay and, in all likelihood, will follow him to Oakland. Gruden is also expected to bring on Rams QBs coach Greg Olson as his offensive coordinator with Paul Guenther assuming the role of defensive coordinator. These hirings should be made official on Tuesday.

Bisaccia has 30 years of coaching experience and also received interest from the Redskins earlier this offseason. Prior to serving as the Cowboys’ special teams coordinator, he worked as Auburn’s running backs coach under Gus Malzahn and was an assistant with the Bucs from 2002-2010. The Browns are thought to be waiting on Broncos OC Adam Gase to interview for their head-coaching job, so Bisaccia doesn’t appear a realistic candidate to replace Rob Chudzinski.