Tom Brady, college teammate lead Raiders' search for 15th coach since 2000

If ever there was a doubt that Tom Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders in name only, principal stakeholder Mark Davis set the record straight in kickstarting the search for the franchise's 15th coach since the turn of the century.

Brady, approved for a minority stake in the Raiders by the NFL last season, was at the team facility to coordinate with the front office as Las Vegas charts a course for 2026. The first step was firing Pete Carroll, who finished 3-14 in his lone season, the league's worst record.

"Moving forward, general manager John Spytek will lead all football operations in close collaboration with Tom Brady, including the search for the club's next head coach," Davis said Monday in a brief statement.

But the message was loud and clear: Brady is driving the decisions in Las Vegas, a franchise with a cumulative 21-47 record since the end of the 2021 season.

Private and public consternation from NFL owners arose when the league signed off on Brady's ownership with the Raiders while also having access to assistant coaches and players during game-week production meetings for his other job as game analyst for Fox Sports.

Brady also holds sway in the next massive decision awaiting the Raiders: how to invest the No. 1 overall draft pick. Brady has been highly complimentary of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner for the undefeated Hoosiers who is currently the betting favorite to be the top pick in April.

The Raiders haven't had the No. 1 draft pick since 2007. They drafted LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who was a bust under then-head coach Lane Kiffin.

Davis didn't have to introduce Spytek and Brady, who were college teammates at Michigan. Spytek, previously assistant general manager with the Buccaneers, was also instrumental in bringing Brady to Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2020.

"We see football similar," Spytek said. "We don't see it the same. We have plenty of discussions and disagreements, and I'm not afraid to tell him that. I think that's kind of why he likes me. But I do believe that we see things similar. We've both had a lot of success seeing it that way, and I think we know what we're after, and it's up to us now to go find it."

The Raiders' head coaches (including interim coaches) since 2000: Pete Carroll (2025), Antonio Pierce (2023-24), Josh McDaniels (2022-23), Rich Bisaccia (2021), Jon Gruden (2018-21, 1998-2001), Jack Del Rio (2015-17), Tony Sparano (2014), Dennis Allen (2012-14), Hue Jackson (2011), Tom Cable (2008-10), Lane Kiffin (2007-08), Art Shell (2006), Norv Turner (2004-05) and Bill Callahan (2001-02).

--Field Level Media