Antonio Pierce: From NFL Legend to Coaching in High School, College, and the NFL

Antonio Pierce is off to a 2-0 start as the Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach. His perfect NFL start comes less than a decade after getting his first head coaching job at the high school level.

In 2014, Pierce was hired to lead the legendary Long Beach Poly football program in Southern California. The Jackrabbits have produced more NFL players than any other high school. Poly also has over 800 wins and 20 CIF Southern Section championships in school history.

Related: The high schools that produced the most NFL players in 2023

Pierce took up coaching after retiring from the NFL in 2010. After going undrafted in 2001, Pierce played 9 seasons at linebacker for Washington and the New York Giants. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2006 and won a Super Bowl with the Giants during the 2007 season.

During his four years with Poly, Pierce led the team to 35 wins in 46 games. in 2017, Pierce made the jump to Arizona State University, where he rose up the ranks from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator. Pierce joined the Raiders in 2022.

Below is a 2014 interview with the former Super Bowl winner, shortly after being named Poly’s head coach.

Photo: AP/Rick Scuteri