Life as an NFL coach is easier when you're winning, especially in the rare case you're doing so with no expectations.
Antonio Pierce made an impression last season. Taking over for Josh McDaniels, who was fired midseason during his second disastrous stint as an NFL head coach, Pierce connected with the Las Vegas Raiders players and fanbase by saying the right things, injecting some bravado and winning some games. He went from an interim to rightfully getting a shot to see what he could do with the full-time job. Raiders owner Mark Davis hired him as his permanent head coach in January.