After a nine-year career playing in the NFL, Antonio Pierce is thrilled to be back in the league, this time working from the sideline.
Pierce has worn many hats since his retirement – from high school coach to ESPN analyst to spending the last four years in multiple roles at Arizona State, including linebackers coach and defensive coordinator/associate head coach.
But now, he steps into the role of Raiders linebackers coach.
"Right away, you get that respect from the group," Pierce said of being a coach and former player. "But more importantly, it's your work ethic. Giving them information, give them tidbits that maybe they haven't heard before or physically doing it.
"I am in pretty good shape still, I can physically do it, so that's kind of a blessing for me to go out there and just walk them and talk them through it. But I think first and foremost, they understand and relate to me as a former player, but respect at the same time as a coach."
The transition to coaching has been fairly easy for the 43-year-old.
He's been preparing for the game with a coach's mentality since he was signed by Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2001, but feels like he really became a "pro coach" from working under Herm Edwards and Marvin Lewis at ASU – their collective veteran experience teaching Pierce how to prepare himself with even the smallest details and how to relate to the newest crop of linebackers.
"When I played, I saw myself as a coach on the field. I think I was known for being a student of the game," he said. "Going up against Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, being teammates with Eli Manning, there were a lot of chess matches that we played with one another. Tony Romo as well. I really prepared myself when I played as a coach. ... Studying, preparing myself making sure as a defense, we saw things the same way."
Pierce sees that same student of the game and leader mentality across the position room that includes Jayon Brown, Kenny Young and Divine Deablo , but especially in veteran Denzel Perryman – a player Pierce has watched from afar over the past seven seasons.
Perryman had a Pro Bowl season in his first year as a Raider, starting all 15 games he appeared in and leading the team in tackles with 154, as well as bringing a wealth of personality to the squad.
"What he brings, not even just with swag, but with attitude, professionalism and I'll say more importantly, leadership," Pierce said. "When he talks, the room gets a little bit quieter. And you want that from somebody on your defense and you really like that from the linebacker position, being biased a little bit. You want the meat and the heart of your team in that linebacker room."
While being a coach in the NFL is a huge milestone reached, it means even more for Pierce as it comes with wearing the colors of the team he watched play throughout his childhood.
"For me, it's a blessing. I'm from LA so when I grew up, the Raiders were playing in Los Angeles at the time," he said with a smile. "Proud Raider fan here."
View the best photos from the Silver and Black's second day of minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Bars (64) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jordan Meredith (61) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Bamidele Olaseni (79) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo and offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor (72) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Matthew Butler (73) and defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (69) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Zach VanValkenburg (54) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Hall (12) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (89) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Bars (64) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) and tackle Bamidele Olaseni (79) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (40) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brandon Bolden (34) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Gerri Green (56) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kenny Young (53) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kyle Peko (92) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Luke Masterson (59) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Jackson Barton (78) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tyree Gillespie (37) and safety Johnathan Abram (24) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) and wide receiver Keelan Cole (89) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Lester Cotton Sr. (67) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. (93) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (22) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Alex Leatherwood (70) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt (32) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Qwynnterrio Cole (42) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Johnathan Abram (24) and tight end Jesper Horsted (80) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. (93) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jayon Brown (50) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Stanford Samuels III (49) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Kenny Young (53) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jordan Veasy (18) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard/tackle Alex Leatherwood (70) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor (72) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (45) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Duron Harmon (30) and wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Anthony Averett (29) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) and defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James (68) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (65) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (69) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc (31) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders players and coaches during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Brittain Brown (38) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc (31) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Dylan Parham (66) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darius Phillips (20) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig (25) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Micah Kiser (43) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Clelin Ferrell (99) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Kendal Vickers (95) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Jesper Horsted (80) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Justin Hall (12) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (11) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Mack Hollins (10) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Stanford Samuels III (49) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Keelan Cole (89) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner (19) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Anthony Averett (29) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jarrett Stidham (3) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller (83) and quarterback Derek Carr (4) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones (55) during Mandatory Minicamp.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Brandon Parker (75) during Mandatory Minicamp.
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