(Walnut, CA) The highly successful Mt. San Antonio College football program has reached new heights with former player Antonio Pierce being named the 23rd head coach of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders on January 19.
Pierce, who starred for the Mounties in 1996 and ’97, becomes the first former Mountie to become a head coach in the National Football League.
Pierce, 45, who was named interim coach earlier this season for the Raiders, was named to the All-California Community College Athletic Association state team as linebacker for the Mounties after the 1997 season.
That was a banner season for the Mounties, as Pierce played a big part as a captain of the team that won a state and national title under coach Bill Fisk.
The team was honored in 2017, entering the prestigious Mt. SAC Hall of Fame.
Before that, Pierce was inducted into the Mt. SAC Hall of Fame in 2013 and also named Mt. SAC 2011 “Alumnus of the Year” on the college’s 65th anniversary.
That honor was bestowed on Pierce for his years after playing at Mt. SAC, which were highlighted with a nine-year NFL career, following his two years playing at the University of Arizona.
Pierce went undrafted in 2001 but signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins (Commanders) and spent four years with the team, before signing a five-year contract with the New York Giants.
Pierce achieved the ultimate goal in the NFL, being named to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and winning the Super Bowl with the Giants in 2007.
Following his retirement from the NFL in 2010, he became an analyst for ESPN. Along with working for ESPN, he ran free football camps for underprivileged youths.
In 2014, he became the head coach of local football powerhouse, Long Beach Poly High School.
In 2017, Pierce was named linebackers coach at his alma mater the University of Arizona, and rose to the role of defensive coordinator until 2021, when he left to become the Raiders linebackers’ coach in 2022.
Pierce remained in that position until the firing of previous Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels earlier this season, when he became interim coach.
In recognition of his many community contributions, Antonio was named United Way's "Man of the Year" in 2007 and was honored by the Catholic Diocese.
Antonio sponsors a free football camp for underprivileged youth during his professional playing days.
Raiders owner Marc Davis said this year on the “Raiders Wire” website, (Antonio Pierce) is a players’ coach but has discipline too.”
As a player at Mt. SAC during his two years, perhaps Pierce raised eyebrows from the coaching staff with his leadership.
"Antonio has great football instincts and intelligence," said former assistant coach Evans Roderick years ago when he was selected “Alumnus of the Year”. "He's like a coach on the field, possessing the keen ability to size up situations quickly and knowing what to do."