A Fine Mess in Oakland
Al Davis is Running his Team Into the Ground
Al Davis has been the majority owner of the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders since 1966 going back to the AFL days, and it has not been all bad. Davis was voted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1992, and has not always been the pariah we know today. The franchise won three Super Bowls over a two decade span in the 1970's and 80's, and finished runner-up again in the 2002/2003 season. Some of the greatest players and coaches in NFL history, including George Blanda, Fred Biletnikoff, Gene Upshaw, and John Madden, gained their fame while being involved with the Raiders. In fact, up until the recent appearance by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Raiders were the only team in pro football history to play in Super Bowls in four different decades. After their latest championship game defeat, it has been all down hill.
Complete Control
Al Davis, who manipulated his way into majority ownership, has his hands in all affairs regarding the team. From hiring and firing coaches to drafting players and signing free agents, Davis has free reign over the franchise. He is not alone in this approach; Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys and Mike Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals also follow this philosophy. The recent string of coaching changes, with Lane Kiffin being the latest victim, has left the team mired in a state of disarray. In Davis' system, no coach has the power or authority to do things their own way. The only permitted method is the Al Davis way. While that may have worked thirty years ago, Raiders fans and employees are finding out that Davis has gotten out of touch with the current game.
Coaching Turnstyle
In most instances, the head coach has the ultimate say when it comes to personnel decisions like which players start or sit. They help plan draft strategies and offer input regarding free agent options. With the Raiders, coaches have been frustrated by their lack of a voice. Current Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan still resents his time in Oakland. Shanahan has won two Super Bowls with the Broncos and is currently in his 14th season with that same franchise.
His tenure speaks the level consistency present in Denver and absent in Oakland. From 1995 (the year Shanahan joined the Broncos) until this current season, the Raiders have had seven different head coaches. New interim coach Tom Cable could be considered number eight. This shows the lack of continuity from one year to another, and if a coach does not buy into the Al Davis plan, he is shown the door. It often takes time for a coach to become fully acclimated with his team, but Davis never lets his candidates pan out. Finding the right players, instituting the proper philosophy, and building rapport within the organization does not happen over night, and Davis' fly by night approach to coaching is ultimately bringing the team down.
The Latest Debacle
Lane Kiffin, an up-and-coming coach from the University of Southern California (USC) was believed to be in the mold of Madden or Jon Gruden. Kiffin was young, motivated, and bright, traits he shared with the other two. Davis expected that Kiffin would work with him to help the team win again, but found out that Kiffin did not fully buy into the system. The two often feuded and clashed, with Kiffin being unhappy with the restraints put upon him. After 20 games and a 5-15 record, Kiffin was fired for essentially insubordination. Davis was not able to control Kiffin as he wished, and used a 45 minute press conference to rip his former employee to shreds.
After witnessing this treatment, potential candidates really must wonder if the head coaching job is worth signing up for. Davis is having a difficult time finding a proven head coach and is chasing away most of the young, promising coaches. When the average life expectancy of a Raiders head coach hovers around one season, no wonder this team finishes well below .500 every year.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles