Pete Carroll is still in the process of building his coaching staff for his first season of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and special teams coordinator Tom McMahon are confirmed to be sticking around, while defensive line coach Rob Leonard looks like a good bet to stay. On offense, Miami Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Darrell Bevell appears to be the favorite.
The staffs reflect Carroll’s philosophy of wanting both familiar and new faces on his staff; Graham and McMahon ensure some level of continuity, while bringing in Bevell would give the new head coach something he has had success with before.
Unfortunately for Carroll, one team has refused to let him get another former assistant on his staff.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Raiders requested to interview Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal for a dual role as receivers coach and passing game coordinator, but it was denied.
The #Raiders requested to interview Sanjay Lal for a pass-game coordinator/receivers coach role but the #Chargers blocked it, per source.
Los Angeles hired Lal as receivers coach in February and doesn’t want him to leave.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 31, 2025
The Chargers were able to block the move due to the Raiders offering Lal the same position instead of offering him a direct promotion to offensive coordinator.
It is unsurprising that the Chargers would pull this move. Lal turned an uninspiring receiving corps and helped them produce a solid season, with the likes of Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston developing nicely under his tutelage.
Lal coached under Carroll for three seasons (2020, 2022-23), where the head coach saw how his assistant was able to unlock the talents of receivers such as D.K. Metcalf. It was a major reason why the Raiders were hoping to lure him away from their heated rival.
Unfortunately, Lal will remain in Los Angeles for at least another season, while the Raiders must continue their search elsewhere.
Raiders expected to bring in former Pete Carroll assistant as offensive coordinator
