Antonio Pierce facts for kids
Pierce with the New York Giants in 2008
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
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| Born: | October 26, 1978 Long Beach, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 238 lb (108 kg) | ||||||||||||
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| High school: | Paramount (Paramount, California) | ||||||||||||
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| Undrafted: | 2001 | ||||||||||||
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| Regular season: | 9–17 (.346) | ||||||||||||
| Career: | 9–17 (.346) (NFL) 31–15 (.674) (high school) |
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
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Antonio Durran Pierce (born October 26, 1978) is an American football coach and a former linebacker. He played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Antonio Pierce won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2007.
He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats. The Washington Redskins signed him as an undrafted free agent. Later, he played for the Giants. After his playing career, Pierce started coaching. He coached at Long Beach Polytechnic High School and then at Arizona State University. He also coached for the Las Vegas Raiders.
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Early Life and College Football
Antonio Pierce played high school football at Paramount High School in Paramount, California. He was a strong linebacker and also played fullback.
After high school, he played two years at Mount San Antonio College. In 1997, he helped his team win the state title. He even intercepted a pass in the championship game.
Pierce then transferred to the University of Arizona. As a senior, he had 77 tackles and three sacks. He was recognized as an honorable mention for the All-Pac-10 team. Even with his strong college performance, NFL scouts thought he was too small. Because of this, he was not picked in the 2001 NFL draft.
Playing Career in the NFL
Starting with the Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins signed Antonio Pierce in 2001. He played in all 16 games during his first year. He made 52 tackles and had one interception.
For the next two seasons, he played less often. But in 2004, his fourth year, he became a full-time starter. He had a career-high 114 tackles that season. He also made two interceptions, including one he returned 76 yards for a touchdown.
Becoming a Star with the New York Giants
The New York Giants signed Pierce in 2005. He quickly became the captain of their defense. In his first season with the Giants, he recorded 100 tackles. His season ended early due to a leg injury.
In 2006, Pierce had his best year with 138 tackles. He was chosen to play in the Pro Bowl. This is a special game for the best players in the NFL.
The 2007 season was very important for Pierce and the Giants. He played a key role in their journey to win Super Bowl XLII. In the NFC Championship game, he made a crucial tackle. This stop helped the Giants win in overtime and reach the Super Bowl. The Giants then famously defeated the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Antonio Pierce was released by the Giants in February 2010. He announced his retirement from playing football in July 2010.
Coaching Career
High School Coaching Experience
In 2014, Antonio Pierce became the head coach at Long Beach Polytechnic High School. This school is known for its strong football program. In his first year, his team had a great record of 11 wins and 2 losses.
However, the team faced challenges in the following years. They missed the playoffs in 2015, which was unusual for the program. Despite some tough seasons, his teams won their conference in 2016 and 2017.
Coaching at Arizona State University
In December 2017, Pierce left high school coaching. He became the linebackers coach at Arizona State University. After two seasons, he was promoted to co-defensive coordinator. In 2021, he became the sole defensive coordinator for the team. He resigned from Arizona State before the 2022 season.
Coaching the Las Vegas Raiders
In 2022, Antonio Pierce joined the Las Vegas Raiders as their linebackers coach.
On October 31, 2023, Pierce was named the interim head coach for the Raiders. This happened after the previous head coach was fired. He quickly made changes, naming Aidan O'Connell as the starting quarterback.
On November 5, 2023, Pierce coached his first game for the Raiders. They played against his former team, the New York Giants. The Raiders won the game 30–6.
On December 14, 2023, the Raiders had a record-breaking win. They defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 63–21, scoring the most points in the team's history. A week later, on Christmas Day, the Raiders beat the Kansas City Chiefs. This was their first win against the Chiefs since 2020.
The Raiders did not make the playoffs in 2023. On January 19, 2024, the Raiders officially named Antonio Pierce their head coach. However, on January 7, 2025, Pierce was fired by the Raiders. His overall coaching record with the Raiders was 9 wins and 17 losses.
Personal Life
Antonio Pierce is married to Jocelyn and they have seven children. He lives in Palos Verdes Estates, California. His father is from Bermuda.
Pierce is passionate about helping young people. He grew up in Compton and wants to improve life for kids in the Long Beach/Compton area. For many years, he has offered a free football camp for young people who might not have many opportunities.
In 2006, he became a spokesperson for Giants Academy. This program helps inner-city youth succeed. He also reads to children as part of the "Read Across America" program.
In 2007, Pierce received the "United Way Man of the Year" award. He was also honored by the Catholic Diocese for his community work. In 2008, he was honored at the ESPY awards with the Giants team.
Images for kids
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Pierce with the New York Giants in 2008
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Antonio Pierce (#58) attempts to tackle Vince Young (#10) in the 2007 Pro Bowl
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Antonio Pierce meets with Matthew Butler prior to a 2023 game against the Indianapolis Colts
