Fansided

Mike Tice joins Jack Del Rio with Oakland Raiders

By Phil Watson

Aug 1, 2014; Lawrenceville, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Mike Tice (hat) talks to the players during practice during Falcons Friday Night Lights at Archer High School. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2014; Lawrenceville, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach Mike Tice (hat) talks to the players during practice during Falcons Friday Night Lights at Archer High School. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Tice is rejoining Jack Del Rio, reportedly coming to the Oakland Raiders as offensive line coach, the same position he had in Atlanta last season.

Mike Tice spent four years as Jack Del Rio’s right-hand man with the Jacksonville Jaguars and, according to a report, the two will be teaming up on another sideline next year.

Michael Silver of NFL Media reported that Tice, who had been the offensive line coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 2014, is going to the Oakland Raiders in that capacity next season.

Tice and Del Rio go back a long time—they were teammates with the Minnesota Vikings in the early 1990s and when Del Rio was coach of the Jaguars, Tice spent four seasons—2006-09—as Del Rio’s assistant head coach, working with the tight ends.

Tice played 14 years in the NFL as a tight end for the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins and the Vikings. Known more as a blocking tight end, Tice had 107 receptions and 11 touchdown catches in his career.

He was an assistant coach for the Vikings from 1996-2001 before taking over as interim head coach after Dennis Green was fired late in the 2001 season before getting the job permanently.

He spent four full seasons with the Vikings, going 32-33 and 1-1 in the team’s one postseason appearance.

After leaving Jacksonville, Tice was an assistant with the Chicago Bears for three seasons, including one as offensive coordinator in 2012.

Tice was given a great deal of credit for the Falcons being able to stay in the NFC South race (well, because seriously, who didn’t stay in the NFC South race?) despite losing five offensive linemen to season-ending injuries.

While his track record as a head coach was spotty and his work as an offensive coordinator could best be described as … uninspiring, there is no questioning his chops working with offensive lines.

The Raiders have some work to do up front, as they allowed 28 sacks despite Derek Carr getting the ball out quickly on short passes—Oakland averaged just 5.5 yards per passing attempt—and rushed for just 3.7 yards per carry, which ranked 27th in the league, and four touchdowns—worst in the NFL.

Oakland got off to an 0-10 start in 2014, with Dennis Allen getting the pink slip during the bye week. Interim coach Tony Sparano led the team to three wins in their final six games and a 3-9 mark overall, but lost the head coaching gig to Del Rio.

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