Jon Gruden has been linked to the Oakland Raiders head coaching job, but there is a dark horse candidate – OC Nathaniel Hackett. Fans have taken an immediate liking to him and he may be just what they need for a new era of Jon Gruden’s Raiders 😉
The “raiders head coach” is a job that is currently open. The Raiders are interviewing candidates for the position, including OC Nathaniel Hackett.
Nathaniel Hackett, the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, has been considered as a prospective Raiders head coach candidate.
Given the Green Bay Packers’ recent success, especially on offense, it’s no surprise that Nathaniel Hackett, the team’s offensive coordinator, is being mentioned as a possible head coaching candidate for 2022.
Hackett joined Green Bay alongside head coach Matt LaFleur in 2019, and the offense has improved each season since he took over as offensive coordinator. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers averaged 23.5 points and 345.5 total yards per game in his debut season with the team. Green Bay was the league leader in points per game (31.8) and eighth in overall offense last season (389.0 yards per game). The offense’s averages have dropped somewhat this season (24.0 ppg, 337.9 ypg), but the club is 5-1 and has been unbeatable since Week 1 (Green Bay has averaged 27.5 points since losing to New Orleans in the season opener).
Hackett’s name is popping up as a potential contender to be the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders as the Packers approach the halfway point of the season. Former Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was forced to retire after racist, sexist, and homophobic language was discovered in his emails going back to 2011. Rich Bisaccia, the special teams coordinator and associate head coach, has been functioning as interim coach, and he might likely remain with Las Vegas, but anticipate Hackett’s name to be raised more and more if the Packers continue to look well on offense.
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Hackett Named Raiders’ Top HC Candidate
Hackett is among the top possibilities to succeed Gruden, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, and Bovada has him as the third-best bet in Vegas, behind Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Bisaccia.
OC for the Packers Behind Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Raiders interim HC Rich Bisaccia, Nathaniel Hackett has the third-best odds at Bovada to be the next permanent head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
October 12, 2021 — Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman)
Hackett has been a part of the NFL since 2003, and he has played on and off since 2006. Although there’s no assurance the Raiders will be interested in him, he does have a fascinating family connection to the silver and black.
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How Does Hackett’s Curriculum Vitae Look?
Even if Las Vegas isn’t interested in Hackett — and they probably won’t be — other clubs seeking for a new head coach should keep an eye on him. Hackett, a former UC Davis linebacker, has an unusual backstory, and his teammates appear to like him.
Here’s a sample of his work history:
- Assistant linebackers coach at UC Davis in 2003.
- Offensive/defensive assistant to the coordinators at Stanford (2003-2004).
- Specialists/recruiting coordinators, Stanford (2005)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Offensive Quality Control (2006–2007).
- Buffalo Bills offensive quality control (2008–2009)
- Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks/tight ends coach at Syracuse (2010)
- Syracuse, Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Tight Ends Coach (2011–2012).
- Offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills from 2013 to 2014.
- Quarterbacks coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2015 to 2016.
- Offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2016 to 2018.
- Offensive coordinator, Green Bay Packers (2019–present)
In Hackett’s past, there’s also an intriguing connection to the Raiders. He is the son of Paul Hackett, who worked for the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Oakland Raiders, among other organizations, as a quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator.
That doesn’t mean he’ll go to Vegas, but it’s a fascinating twist.
In addition, Rodgers has given his stamp of approval in a huge manner. According to The Washington Post, “it’s recognizing that every player has different motivators and everyone can react differently to coaching, and finding out what those buttons are on particular guys to press to get the best out of them,” the reigning MVP stated regarding Hackett’s teaching style. “That’s exactly what he excels at. He disarms men and makes them feel at ease, and then he’s great at teaching them the game. I’d hate to lose him, but I believe he’d be an excellent head coach.”
Time will tell, but Hackett’s name is one to keep an eye on after the Raiders’ 2021 season, especially if they haven’t recruited a full-time successor by then.
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