Raiders fire former Kentucky offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello

First-year Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is making some big changes after the AFC West franchise’s 2-7 start. Shortly after Sunday’s 41-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals where the Raiders played both Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder at quarterback, Pierce made a big change.

News leaked that offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was being fired after nine games. The Raiders confirmed that move just after midnight on the East Coast announcing that former Kentucky offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello would also no longer be a part of the franchise.

We have relieved Luke Getsy, James Cregg, and Rich Scangarello of their duties with the Las Vegas Raiders.

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) November 4, 2024

Rich Scangarello, 52, spent this season as the Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks coach after not coaching during the 2023 season. During that time off, Scangarello served as a private quarterbacks coach training Caleb Williams heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. Scangarello joined the staff in Las Vegas as Pierce took over for Josh McDaniels. The head coach has decided to go in a different direction on offense in November.

In his only season at Kentucky, Scangarello’s unit produced disappointing results in a 7-5 regular season finish. The Wildcats posted some low statistical marks that season ranking No. 92 in success rate, No. 95 in points per drive, No. 101 in yards per play, and No. 106 in red zone touchdown percentage. Expectations were sky-high for Scangarello partnering up with Will Levis, but the quarterback got hurt early in the season and finished the season seeing his numbers dip across the board from 2021.

Head coach Mark Stoops relieved Rich Scangarello of his duties following a 26-13 win over ranked Louisville to end the season. From there, Kentucky brought back Liam Coen to Lexington before seeing him bolt to the NFL after one year. Bush Hamdan became Kentucky’s fifth different play-caller in five years in 2024.

Multiple other Kentucky offensive coordinators are having good seasons. Coen’s Tampa Bay offense is posting big numbers and is in the NFL playoff hunt as the season reaches the midway point. Shannon Dawson is calling play for Heisman Trophy contender and future first-round pick Cam Ward as Miami is undefeated. Neal Brown has led West Virginia to a 4-4 start as a play-calling head coach with four very winnable games left on the schedule.

Rich Scangarello will now be looking for new employment after a surprise move by the Raiders following Week 9.