Raiders Announce Clint Kubiak as New Head Coach

LAS VEGAS — After an extensive 35-day coaching search that involved 15 candidates, the Raiders made a decision. A team that included minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek kept circling back to one candidate.

This led to the selection of Clint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator from the Seahawks, as the Raiders’ new head coach. Officially introduced in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Kubiak’s experience in coaching quarterbacks, combined with his innovative offensive strategies and sharp play-calling skills, reportedly set him apart from the other contenders.

Other notable candidates were in the mix, including Mike McDaniel, Brian Daboll, Jesse Minter (who was later chosen as the Ravens’ head coach), Kevin Stefanski (now with the Falcons), and Jeff Hafley (who took over as head coach of the Dolphins).

While many factors contributed to the decision, the Raiders’ urgent need for a game-changing quarterback certainly played a pivotal role. Their recent challenges, which included a tied NFL record of 14 losses and the disappointment of not securing Pete Carroll as head coach last year, exacerbated this need. It was tough watching Allegiant Stadium become a hub for rival fans every week.

However, their suffering led to the silver lining of landing the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, expected to be Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.

The importance of this critical draft pick heavily influenced the team’s direction, as Brady, Spytek, and the rest of the Raiders’ leadership weighed their options.

Spytek emphasized the importance of making the right choice going forward: “With the No. 1 overall pick and new leadership from our head coach, we are looking at a challenging offseason.” He noted how finding the right leadership aligned with the organization’s future was paramount.

They needed someone to nurture Mendoza’s potential and transform an underperforming offense. This search ultimately led them to Kubiak, whose relentless work ethic stood out.

“It became clear that Clint was probably the best person to carry our future,” stated Raiders owner Mark Davis. He highlighted the excitement surrounding the new offensive strategies they’d be implementing.

Kubiak, at 38, has impressive roots; he is the son of former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl-winning coach, Gary Kubiak. His coaching lineage includes connections to Mike Shanahan and his son Kyle, who is coaching the 49ers now.

This past NFL season, Kubiak’s strategic capabilities were showcased as the Seahawks pursued a Super Bowl, with Brady observing multiple games as the lead analyst for Fox NFL.

Brady’s experience with Kubiak helped solidify the decision. He was determined not to repeat past mistakes after a disjointed hiring process in 2024 when he looked for a new coach following Antonio Pierce’s departure.

Initially, Brady aimed for then-Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but Johnson instead chose a head coaching role with the Bears. Following that, Brady turned to Carroll, who, at 73, seemed misaligned with the team’s rebuilding plan. This time, Brady prioritized hiring a coach who could develop alongside Mendoza.

Kubiak’s short stint in Seattle, while effective, saw a remarkable improvement for the Seahawks, moving from 18th to 3rd in scoring during their two seasons, significantly aiding quarterback Sam Darnold’s career revival.

The initial interactions between Brady, Spytek, and Kubiak solidified Kubiak’s candidacy. Despite coming from a different offensive philosophy, Kubiak managed to connect with Brady during interviews. Kubiak even joked about the close relationship developing after handing over his phone number: “He might regret that,” he quipped.

The interview discussions highlighted the potential for creative collaboration given their diverse offensive backgrounds. Kubiak expressed excitement about working with Brady’s extensive football knowledge.

Kubiak has conducted his own research, reaching out to industry colleagues for insights before committing to the Raiders. The organization has experienced its challenges, having cycled through multiple coaches since Jon Gruden’s exit in 2021, leading to a lack of patience in the coaching department.

Nevertheless, Kubiak’s willingness to join the Raiders reveals his confidence in turning the franchise into something competitive. “Why not us? Why not this staff? Why not this group of players?” he reflected on the quick turnover in coaching staff. He views the position as a significant challenge, which he embraces as part of the NFL’s competitive spirit.

As the Raiders embark on this new chapter, they remain hopeful that Kubiak is the right fit to steer the team forward in their pursuit of success.