Oakland Raiders: Marc Trestman a Potential Fit for OC Position?

Sep 28, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman during the second half at Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Time In Silver and Black

In 2001, Trestman changed jobs again after losing his job in Arizona. He would land in Oakland, re-united with Rich Gannon as the Quarterbacks coach under Jon Gruden and Bill Callahan.  Gannon, who had come off the best year of his career in 2000, would continue to excel under Trestman, improving his completion percentage by over 5% while attempting 4.75 more passes for 24.9 yards per game. In 2002, Trestman would take over as OC when Gruden was traded and Callahan took over as head coach. While 2002 may be remembered as the beginning of the end, many forget that it was an incredible season for the Raiders. Rich Gannon, at the age of 36, led the NFL in passing yards, passing attempts, and completions, throwing for nearly 4,700 yards and completing nearly 68% of his passes.  Gannon was named MVP of the league that year as the Raiders went 11-5, blowing by the Jets and Titans on their way to the Super Bowl, where Jon Gruden awaited them. Trestman’s offense that had run roughshod over the league in 2002 was made to look very ordinary by a prepared Buccaneers defense, and Gannon threw five interceptions in the game after throwing eleven picks in 18 regular season and playoff games that year.

We remember the rest of the Callahan-Trestman story. In 2003, Rich Gannon struggled through seven starts before an injury, and Rick Mirer struggled even more the rest of the way. The Raider offense produced 105 yards less per game, and the Raiders stumbled to a 4-12 record. The team full of veteran free agents that Al Davis had assembled to win now could no longer win as injuries and old age took their toll. Callahan was fired after the 2003 season, and Trestman with him.