Raiders Fire Defensive Coach After Just One Season

After going just 6-11 last year, it's clear the Las Vegas Raiders need to make some changes if they want to make the playoffs next season. Some of those changes will need to happen on the field -- like finding a new quarterback -- while changes to leadership are also required.

The Raiders made one of the latter moves on Sunday by firing one of their assistant coaches.

Las Vegas Raiders News

Las Vegas is firing defensive line coach Frank Okam after just one season with the team. The Raiders were understandably disappointed with Okam's performance after the team allowed the 10th-most yards per carry and eighth-most rushing touchdowns per game during the regular season.

Okam had success in the same role with the Carolina Panthers in 2021, however, so perhaps firing him won't solve the problem. Las Vegas clearly needs to improve its line on both sides of the ball and probably should have given Okam more time to see what he could do with stronger personnel.

Head coach Josh McDaniels hired Okam himself last February, so it's not like McDaniels inherited him either. While this is obviously a setback in Okam's career, he's still young (37) and will likely get a chance to coach elsewhere based on his track record with other programs.

As for McDaniels, he seems to be feeling the pressure to turn things around in 2023. If he doesn't, he might be the next to go.