ESPN news: Raiders Mike Caldwell to represent the team in the NFL’s…….read more

Mike Caldwell, coordinator of the Raiders’ running game and coach of their linebackers, will represent the team at the NFL’s 2024 Coach Accelerator program at the Nashville, Tennessee, Spring League Meeting.

In the league program’s fifth year iteration, he is one of 27 participants.

The Coach Accelerator is intended to give competent coaching candidates from a range of backgrounds the chance to meet with club owners and executives while also refining and expanding their leadership abilities. One of the program’s other objectives is to “increase the number of diverse candidates being interviewed for open positions.” Many former players have been hired and elevated into more senior coaching positions, according to the NFL.

“One of the main priorities of the Accelerator program is to develop diverse coaching talent,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated in a press release. “In its fifth iteration, this program continues to be an effective avenue for club owners and executives to be exposed to the skillset and unique backgrounds of highly qualified coaching candidates, and for the program’s participants to network with one another and engage in professional development sessions.”

This offseason, Caldwell became a member of the Raiders, bringing with him 11 years of NFL playing experience and 16 years of NFL coaching experience.

The last two seasons (2022–2023), Caldwell served as the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars defense, which was led by him, only gave up 103.1 rushing yards per game in 2023, which was the seventh fewest in the NFL. With 17.5 sacks in a single season, OLB Josh Allen tied for the second-most in the NFL in 2023 and broke the franchise record.

Additionally, he was a member of the coaching staffs of the Philadelphia Eagles (2008–12), Arizona Cardinals (2013–14), New York Jets (2015–18), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019–21).

After spending time with the Cleveland Browns (1993–1995), Baltimore Ravens (1996), Arizona Cardinals (1997), Philadelphia Eagles (1998–2001), Chicago Bears (2002), and Carolina Panthers (2003), Caldwell played 11 seasons in the National Football League as a linebacker.

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Raiders’ communications team is a nominee for the Pete Rozelle Award from PFWA.

The communications crew of the Las Vegas Raiders has received recognition in the NFL for their hard work over the last 12 months.

The team has been nominated for the Pete Rozelle Award, which is presented annually to the NFL club public relations department that “consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media.” The Pete Rozelle Award is decided by the Pro Football Writers of America.

The Raiders’ communications department has never before been a nominee for this award. The Raiders changed general managers and head coaches in Week 8 of the 2023 season. Vice President of Communications Will Kiss, Manager of Communications Cam Russo, and Coordinators of Communications Jade Capristo, Joseph Hooven, and Ashley Smith make up the department.

Not to mention that Pete Rozelle, the previous NFL Commissioner, and Kiss, the department’s leader since 2013, are both University of San Francisco graduates.

“It’s an honor for our staff to be selected as a finalist for the Rozelle Award by the PFWA,” Kiss stated. It is evidence of the committed individuals who toil diligently behind the scenes to enable year-round media coverage. The local organization of the PFWA is quite active, and we hope they will keep presenting the Raiders’ narrative.”

The Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, and San Francisco 49ers are the other teams competing for the trophy. The winners of the PFWA’s Off-Field Awards will be revealed soon after the voting ends on May 24.