The Las Vegas Raiders sacked head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after his first full season in the job, the latest dismissal following the final week of the National Football League regular season.
The former Pro Bowl linebacker took over as interim head coach in 2023 but struggled through an ugly 2024 campaign where the Raiders finished 4-13, and last in the AFC West.
"Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep," the team said in a statement.
"We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organisation."
Pierce is the latest coach to get the axe after NFL's infamous annual 'Black Monday' saw the Jacksonville Jaguars dismiss Doug Pederson.
The New England Patriots kicked off the action a day earlier, sacking coach Jerod Mayo after his first year at the helm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears were denied an interview with Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy but will sit down with longtime NFL coach Pete Carroll on Thursday.
Carroll, 73, won a Super Bowl during his 14-year tenure with Seattle and has the most wins of any Seahawks coach (137).
He also set the record for most playoff appearances (10) and wins (10) in franchise history. Carroll served as an adviser this season after stepping down following the 2023 campaign.
Carroll also guided the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997-99) and has a 170-120-1 record as an NFL head coach.
He excelled in the college ranks, winning two national championships at Southern California during his nine-year tenure and finishing with a 97-19 record.
Carroll is one of only three coaches to win both a Super Bowl and a college national championship.
As for McCarthy, his deal expires today, with the Cowboys having exclusive negotiating rights until 14 January.
McCarthy completed his fifth season at the helm with Dallas missing the playoffs at 7-10.
McCarthy, who will meet with owner Jerry Jones this week, has said he wants to remain with Dallas after missing the playoffs for the first time since his first season in 2020.
The Bears have made formal requests to interview a number of current NFL assistants.
