With Pete Carroll Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Las Vegas in 2026? Who Should Replace Pete Carroll in 2026?
Full Story on Carroll Being Fired as Las Vegas’s Head Coach
The Raiders have now lost ten or more games in a season in back-to-back years, the first time that happened since 2017-2018. In fact, Las Vegas got shutout in two road games in 2025 vs. Chiefs and Eagles. But despite drafting RB Ashton Jeanty (#6) from Boise State in the last NFL Draft, it wasn’t enough for the Raiders to improve. Following Sunday’s season finale victory vs. Kansas City, the 3-14 Raiders fired Pete Carroll after just one season as head coach. He became the league’s recent one-and-done coaches along with Urban Meyer (Jaguars in 2021), Freddie Kitchens (Browns in 2019), Hue Jackson (Oakland in 2011), and Bobby Petrino (Falcons in 2007).
In other news, Las Vegas announced that General Manager John Spytek will remain in his role for 2026. The Raiders have now failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight season dating back to 2021. The boys in black and grey have not accomplished a winning record since 2021 despite the Jon Gruden controversy. Las Vegas will have the #1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft in April. Perhaps their biggest win of the 2025 season came on September 7, where they edged out the eventual playoff contender New England Patriots 20-13.
Over the past several years, the football squad drafted some first round prospects such as RB Ashton Jeantry (Boise State, 2025), TE Brock Bowers (Georgia, 2024), DE Tyree Wilson (Texas Tech, 2023), and OT Alex Leatherwood (Alabama, 2021). The Nevada-based organization becomes the sixth NFL team to change head coaches this season along with Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Raheem Morris (Falcons), Brian Daboll (Giants), Brian Callahan (Titans), and Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals).
Pete Carroll’s Career with the Las Vegas Raiders
Carroll took over as the leading man in Georgia in 2024 after the dismissal of Antonio Pierce. The former, despite his extensive career with USC and the Seahawks, was unable to transition to that same success with the Raiders. Las Vegas began 2025 with a 2-4 start before embarking on a ten-game losing streak. The team is seeking its first postseason berth since 2021. Most importantly, the football squad is aiming to win a playoff game for the first time since 2002. Overall, Carroll compiled a 3-14 record and 1-5 in divisional play.
Before becoming the Raiders’ head coach, Carroll held similar roles for the Seattle Seahawks (2010-2023), USC Trojans (2001-2009), and New England Patriots (1997-1999). He took the Seahawks to a Super Bowl championship in 2013 as well as the NFL Championship Game in 2014. Carroll initially guided the Trojans to the 2004 national title, but that season’s victories were vacated as a result of the 2009 Reggie Bush scandal. In the pre-Tom Brady era, the legendary head coach led the Patriots to two payoff appearances and a 1997 AFC East Division crown.
What’s Next for the Las Vegas Raiders?
Many Raiders football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Pete Carroll in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Carroll as Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Pete Carroll as Las Vegas HC
Internal Candidates
Patrick Graham-Las Vegas Raiders
- Patriots Defense Assistant (2009-2011)
- New England DL Coach (2012-2013)
- Patriots LB Coach (2014-2015)
- Giants DL Coach (2016-2017)
- Packers LB Coach (2018)
- Dolphins Defensive Coordinator (2019)
- Giants Associate HC & DC (2020-2021)
- Raiders Defensive Coordinator (2022-Present)
- Super Bowl Champion with New England in 2014
- Also Led Patriots to Super Bowl in Early 2012
Top Head Coach Candidates for Las Vegas Raiders to Consider
Robert Saleh-San Francisco 49ers
- Texans Defense Qualities Coach (2006-2008)
- Texans Assistant LB Coach (2009-2010)
- Seahawks Defense Qualities Coach (2011-2013)
- Jaguars LB Coach (2014-2016)
- 49ers Defensive Coordinator (2017-2020)
- NY Jets Head Coach (2021-2024)
- 49ers Defensive Coordinator (2025-Present)
- Won Super Bowl with Seattle in Early 2014
- Coached San Francisco in Super Bowl in Early 2020
Klint Kubiak-Seattle Seahawks
- Kansas WR Coach (2015)
- Broncos Offense Coach (2016-2018)
- Vikings QB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vikings OC (2021)
- Broncos Pass Game Coordinator (2022)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2023)
- Saints OC (2024)
- Seahawks OC (2025-Present)
- Led Seattle to #1 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Coached in Super Bowl for San Francisco in 2023
Joe Brady-Buffalo Bills
- William & Mary LB Coach (2013-2014)
- Penn State Graduate Assistant (2015-2016)
- Saints Offense Assistant (2017-2018)
- LSU Tigers WR Coach (2019)
- Panthers OC (2020-2021)
- Bills QB Coach (2022-2023)
- Bills OC (2024-Present)
- 2019 National Champion with LSU Tigers
- Took Buffalo to AFC Championship Game in Early 2025
- Also Guided New Orleans to NFC Championship Game in Early 2019
Mike LaFleur-Los Angeles Rams
- Browns Offense Intern (2014)
- Falcons Offensive Assistant (2015-2016)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2017-2020)
- Jets Offensive Coordinator (2021-2022)
- Rams Offensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Led Los Angeles to #5 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Took San Francisco to Super Bowl in Early 2020
- Also Guided Atlanta to Super Bowl in Early 2017
Leading Candidate to Replace Pete Carroll as Raiders HC in 2026
Brian Flores-Minnesota Vikings
- Patriots Defense Assistant (2008-2011)
- New England Safeties Coach (2012-2015)
- Patriots DC (2016-2018)
- Dolphins HC (2019-2021)
- Steelers LB Coach (2022)
- Vikings DC (2023-Present)
- Won 4 Super Bowl Titles with New England
- Also Guided Minnesota to Postseason in 2024
Other Coaching Search Updates in the NFL:
Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons)
Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans)
Thanks for reading the List of Candidates to Replace Pete Carroll as Las Vegas HC! We hope this article helped! Please feel free to read our other articles and follow us on X and Facebook for more!
