Las Vegas Raiders: The Rise and Fall of former head coach Jon Gruden
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders: The Rise and Fall of former head coach Jon Gruden
Gruden’s triumphant return
Nevertheless, the Raiders franchise was overjoyed at the decision and had finally got back their man. Since his departure, the Raiders’ lone postseason appearance after the massacre in the Super Bowl was in 2016, a team that went 12-4 but saw Derek Carr break his ankle on Christman Eve.
Oakland had become a revolving door of head coaches since the departure of Gruden and hired a staggering number of ten head coaches since his trade to Tampa Bay. Only two playoff appearances in 16 seasons since he was moved, the number he was able to achieve in only four at the helm.
The team had a record of 92-164 since the trade, which is why Raider Nation was so gung-ho in bringing back their once esteemed head coach.
The first season was controversial and in many ways, the rumors of Gruden and his struggle for power and dominance was fully on display as he traded away star linebacker Khalil Mack for draft picks to the Chicago Bears and moved pro bowl receiver Amari Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round pick.
Gruden preached patience and stated over and over the Raiders needed a rebuild. The Raider faithful did just that and remained faithful as the team sputtered out to a 4-12 record in his first season back.