Klint Kubiak’s first defensive coordinator as head coach could come from the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning staff
The Raiders are ready to get their staff going.
The Las Vegas Raiders have finally secured their new head coach. The process took some time, as the Seattle Seahawks had just won the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. Ultimately, the wait paid off, as the Raiders now have a head coach who knows how to win big games.
The Raiders now need Klint Kubiak to finish his coaching staff.
Kubiak now needs to complete his coaching staff, which includes more than just the offensive and defensive coordinators. He must also hire position coaches, assistants, and analysts. The process usually begins with the coordinators, followed by recruiting the rest of the staff. There is an idea of who the offensive coordinator could be.
“One other change potentially coming as well as Kubiak fills out his staff in Las Vegas, Andrew Janocko, the Seahawks quarterbacks coach, is a top candidate to be the offensive coordinator for the Raiders,” NFL Insider Tom Pelissero said.
If Janocko becomes offensive coordinator, the Raiders still need to fill the defensive coordinator position. Seahawks defensive assistant and DB coach Neiko Thorpe, who played for the Raiders from 2014-2015, could be a candidate.
Thorpe played nine NFL seasons (2012–2020) with the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and Seahawks, appearing in 88 games mostly as a special teams contributor and reserve defensive back, with 100 tackles, one interception, nine passes defended, and three fumble recoveries.
After retiring, Thorpe transitioned to coaching with the Seahawks, starting as a coaching intern in 2022, advancing to defensive assistant in 2023, serving as player engagement/football operations assistant in 2024, and currently working as a defensive assistant/defensive backs coach (also with special teams assistant duties in recent roles).
The Raiders just need a staff capable of developing players and avoiding losses. Let’s start there before they immediately jump to trying to have the best defense in the NFL, because this is a rebuild.
Las Vegas Raiders News
Klint Kubiak has already won over the Raiders fan base in a unique way and he hasn’t even started the job yet
The Raiders are excited to have Kubiak, and he’s excited to be a Raider.
