Kliff Kingsbury is back in the NFL.
The former Arizona Cardinals head coach will be hired by the Las Vegas Raiders as the team’s new offensive coordinator. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports..
As of Thursday night, no deal had been reached, but it is believed a deal will be reached. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports.
Kingsbury spent four seasons in the desert before being fired in January 2023 after the Cardinals had an underwhelming 2022 season where they went 4-13.
He spent last season at USC as a senior offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach and remains a well-respected figure in NFL circles. Garafolo reported last weekend. Kingsbury was expected to take an offensive coordinator job somewhere in the league.
Kingsbury had interviewed for open offensive coordinator jobs in Philadelphia and Chicago, as well as the Las Vegas job.
The Raiders were looking for an experienced candidate to take over offensive play-calling duties next season after opting to part ways with interim offensive coordinator Bo Hardigley after the season.
Las Vegas also had interest in former Eagles and 49ers head coach Chip Kelly for the position.
Kelly interviewed with the organization at least twice. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. And the famous coach was “open to returning to the NFL.”
Despite this, Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce chose to go with Kingsbury.
In his four years in Arizona, Kingsbury led the team to a 28-37-1 record, with his best season coming in 2021 when he led the Cardinals to an 11-6 record and a berth in the NFC Wild Card Round.
Kingsbury served as offensive coordinator at Houston and Texas A&M before taking his first head coaching job at Texas Tech in 2013, where he coached for six seasons.
