The Las Vegas Raiders, under the fresh leadership of head coach Klint Kubiak, are moving decisively to construct a coaching staff designed for stability and success. According to sources who spoke to ESPN, the next significant piece is expected to be a familiar name with deep AFC West roots: Mike McCoy. The Raiders are poised to hire the former Los Angeles Chargers head coach and recent Tennessee Titans interim leader to serve as the assistant head coach, adding a layer of veteran experience and strategic acumen to Kubiak's inaugural staff in Las Vegas.
This reported move signals a clear intention from the Raiders' front office and Kubiak himself. Building a staff isn't just about assembling Xs and Os experts; it's about creating a brain trust that can manage the myriad challenges of an NFL season. McCoy, 54, brings a resume that spans over two decades in the league as a player and coach, including a four-year stint running the show in San Diego and Los Angeles. His expected arrival in Las Vegas represents a strategic pairing of Kubiak's offensive vision with McCoy's extensive, well-rounded background.
The McCoy File: A Career of Adaptation
To understand the value McCoy is expected to bring, one must look at his journey. A former quarterback at Utah and a fifth-round NFL draft pick, McCoy's coaching career began in the early 2000s with the Carolina Panthers, where he climbed from offensive quality control coach to quarterbacks coach. His big break came as the offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos from 2009 to 2012, a period that showcased his adaptability. He successfully tailored offenses for polar opposite quarterbacks: a classic drop-back passer in Kyle Orton, a dynamic option threat in Tim Tebow, and finally, a legendary arm in Peyton Manning during Manning's first year in Denver in 2012. That ability to mold a system to his personnel became a hallmark.
His work with Manning and the Broncos' record-setting offense in 2012 earned him his first head coaching opportunity with the then-San Diego Chargers. In his first season, 2013, he led the Chargers to a 9-7 record and a playoff victory in Cincinnati, earning Coach of the Year consideration. His tenure featured playoff appearances in two of his first three seasons, but inconsistency and a fading roster led to his dismissal after the 2016 season. Since then, McCoy has served as offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos (2017) and Arizona Cardinals (2018), and most recently, he stepped into the interim head coach role for the Tennessee Titans for the final five games of the 2025 season after a mid-season dismissal of the prior staff.
That interim stint in Tennessee, though brief, is a key part of the narrative. It reminded the league of McCoy's readiness to lead and his capacity to step into a difficult situation and provide steady leadership. For a first-time head coach like Klint Kubiak, having a lieutenant who has sat in the big chair, handled in-game crises, managed a weekly schedule, and dealt with the media glare is an invaluable resource.
The Kubiak-McCoy Synergy
While Klint Kubiak has carved his own path, most notably as a successful offensive coordinator, the shadow and influence of his father, former NFL coach Gary Kubiak, are undeniable. The Kubiak coaching tree is deeply intertwined with offensive philosophy and a specific culture. Mike McCoy's connection to that tree is direct and significant. He worked under Gary Kubiak as the Broncos' offensive coordinator in 2017, a season that, while challenging, embedded him in the Kubiak family's offensive system and principles.
This shared history is likely a foundational element of this expected hire. Klint Kubiak doesn't need to teach McCoy his offensive language or core tenets; there's a pre-existing familiarity. McCoy can hit the ground running, not just as a senior advisor, but as a true extension of the head coach who understands the offensive foundation while also providing a defensive and special teams perspective from his head coaching experience. His role as assistant head coach is anticipated to be broad. He could be a sounding board for game management decisions, a liaison between position coaches and the head coach, and a key figure in player development, particularly for quarterbacks--a position group he has extensive experience coaching.
For Kubiak, delegating certain administrative and leadership responsibilities to a trusted veteran like McCoy frees him to focus on the macro vision, play-calling, and being the primary face of the franchise. It's a classic "strong right hand" appointment, one that suggests Kubiak is secure enough in his own position to surround himself with experienced, knowledgeable voices.
Building a Competent Raiders Infrastructure
The reported pursuit of McCoy is part of a larger, critical mission for the Raiders this offseason: erasing the instability that has plagued the franchise for years and building a competent, cohesive infrastructure. The head coaching carousel has spun relentlessly in Las Vegas, and with each turn, playbooks, philosophies, and staffs have been scrapped. The result has been a lack of continuity that stunts player development and team identity.
Hiring a 37-year-old, first-time head coach in Kubiak was a forward-looking move, betting on offensive innovation and a new generation of leadership. But pairing him with a seasoned former head coach like McCoy provides immediate ballast. It's a statement that while the Raiders are embracing a new offensive vision, they are not ignoring the practical, day-to-day realities of running an NFL team. This staff is being built not just for a flashy opening press conference, but for the grind of a 17-game season and beyond.
Furthermore, McCoy's experience within the AFC West is a minor but tangible benefit. He knows the rhythms of the division, the environments in Kansas City, Denver, and Los Angeles, and the historical tendencies of those franchises. While rosters and coaches change, some institutional knowledge persists.
What This Means for the Raiders' Future
If this expected hire comes to fruition, the Raiders' 2026 coaching staff will feature an intriguing blend of youth and experience, innovation and tradition. Klint Kubiak represents the modern, pass-centric offensive evolution, while Mike McCoy represents the durable, adaptable coach who has seen nearly everything the NFL can throw at a team.
The success of this partnership will depend on clear communication and defined roles. The "assistant head coach" title can mean different things in different organizations. For this to work, Kubiak must genuinely empower McCoy, and McCoy must fully buy into supporting Kubiak's vision without undermining his authority. Given their prior connection through Gary Kubiak, the foundation for that professional respect is already in place.
For the players, especially a young quarterback or emerging leaders on the roster, having a coach like McCoy in the building is a significant resource. He is a coach who has called plays, managed games, and dealt with both winning streaks and losing slumps. His perspective can help translate the head coach's message and provide veteran guidance that resonates.
In the high-stakes environment of the NFL, where every decision is magnified, the Raiders appear to be making a calculated move to fortify their new leadership structure. Bringing in Mike McCoy is not about nostalgia for his Chargers days or a safe retread hire. It is a strategic investment in institutional knowledge and steady leadership to complement the offensive dynamism Klint Kubiak promises to bring. As the Raiders look to finally turn the page on years of frustration, this expected addition to the coaching staff is a strong indicator that they are building with both the immediate playbook and the long-term culture in mind. The Silver and Black are not just hiring coaches; they are architecting a foundation, and Mike McCoy, according to sources, is slated to be a key cornerstone.