The Las Vegas Raiders have created a buzz in the NFL world with their recent move. The team’s owner Mark Davis surprised fans after he fired HC Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. Davis made the announcement on October 31 after the Raiders lost the game against the Detroit Lions. After the loss, the team is 3-5 this season which is quite a bad record.
Along with McDaniels, Dave Ziegler has also gained the limelight after the removal. The duo joined the Raiders together in January last year. Mark Davis, at that time, mentioned that he wanted them both to take the team to the “next step”. However, neither the HC nor the GM succeeded in their assignment.
The Raiders have fired HC Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/REQD1jcbXq
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 1, 2023
When they took over the team, the Raiders had a 10-7 record under the coaching of Rich Bisaccia and GM Mike Mayock. However, after Dave Ziegler and McDaniels, the team got to a terrible 9-16 record. It’s obvious that the Raiders’ performance disappointed Davis and urged him to take this harsh step. Now, only time will tell if the change in coach and GM will help the Raiders or not.
How did Dave Ziegler begin his football career?
Born in September 1977, Dave Ziegler has been passionate about football since his childhood. The Ohio-born wide receiver began playing the game when he was in high school. He then went on to join John Carroll University and played for John Carroll Blue Streaks Football. The former general manager of the Raiders played as a wide receiver, punt returner, and Kick returner in college.
When Dave Ziegler was in college, he had some other NFL stars as his teammates as well. He reportedly used to play with his Raiders companion and HC Josh McDaniels there. Along with him, he also played with Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio and New York Giants QB coach Jerry Schuplinski.
It’s worth noting that Ziegler didn’t play as a player in the NFL, but has been serving as an executive. As for his personal life, his lovely wife Carissa has been with him throughout his career. Along with her, the Raiders former GM also has his 3 kids to back him.
A look at Dave Ziegler’s time in the NFL
Dave Ziegler made his NFL debut with the Denver Broncos as a player personnel assistant in 2010. After that, he became a part of the franchise’s scouting team for two years. The 46-year-old then joined Tom Brady’s New England Patriots. He was there with the NFL legend for 8 years. With the Patriots, Ziegler worked as the assistant director of pro scouting for the team.
He joined the team in 2013 and served in the role till 2015. After that, he became the director of pro personnel in 2016 and worked in the position till 2019. He then became the assistant director of player personnel with the team in 2020. After a year, the Patriots promoted him to the director of player personnel. With the Patriots, Zeigler won 3 Super Bowls as well with coach Bill Belichick.
Dave Ziegler stayed at the position for one year before joining the Las Vegas Raiders on January 30, 2022. He became the team’s general manager which was also his first time as a GM in the NFL. However, he and coach McDaniels could lead the team to success, leading to his removal. Now, it’ll be interesting to see which team Ziegler joins in the coming future.