Raiders to interview high-profile coaching candidate, and it’s not Jim Harbaugh

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking at a big-name for head coach, and it is not Jim Harbaugh.

Even though the Las Vegas Raiders made it to the playoffs led by interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, they are requesting interviews for the full-time job. One of the biggest names linked to the job was Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, per reports. Well, the Raiders have put in a request for an interview with a big-name, but it is not Harbaugh.

According to various reports, the Raiders requested to interview New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels for their head coach position.

Raiders put in big head coach interview request, and it’s not Jim Harbaugh

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport tweeted that “the hope” is that McDaniels interviews for the job on Friday, Jan. 28. Rapoport continued, saying that there could be a pairing of McDaniels as head coach and Patriots director of player personnel Dave Ziegler as general manager in Las Vegas. Ziegler already interviewed for the front office position.

This is not the first time that McDaniels was part of the head coaching carousel. He was hired as the head coach of the Denver Broncos back in 2009. After compiling a 11-17 overall record following two seasons, McDaniels was fired. In 2018, McDaniels accepted the head coaching job for the Indianapolis Colts before backing out and returning to New England as offensive coordinator. The Colts hired Frank Reich in his place.

This season, with McDaniels coaching up the offense and rookie Mac Jones as starting quarterback, the Patriots averaged 353.4 yards of total offense (15th-most in NFL) and 27.2 points (sixth-most).

It will remain to be seen what the Raiders do, but they have McDaniels on their list to potentially be their new head coach.