In the end, the Raiders made the move everyone expected at defensive coordinator. They just didn’t make the final decision until March.
The team promoted Chuck Bresnahan to defensive coordinator, just more than a month after hiring him as a “defensive coach.” It will be Bresnahan’s second tour of duty as Oakland’s coordinator after serving in the role from 2000-2003.
“I am impressed with [Bresnahan’s] passion, attention to detail and energy,” head coach Hue Jackson said in a statement via Twitter. “The fact that I’ve had the chance to be in defensive meetings with Chuck and watch him lead the defensive staff made it an easy decision to name him our defensive coordinator.”
Bresnahan’s defense finished in the top ten of points allowed in two of his first three seasons as coordinator last time around, before bottoming out in a disastrous 2003 campaign.
“This is an incredible opportunity for me to come back to the Raiders and work again where we had so many great years. I’m also thrilled to be a part of this talented staff, many of whom I’ve shared previous success with,” Bresnahan said.
When Rod Woodson was hired as a defensive backs coach last month, he mentioned showing more looks next season in an effort to make more plays in the secondary.
No matter what the Raiders defense shows, there will always be a sense this is Al Davis’ defense. That feeling certainly won’t change with a Raiders alum returning to coordinate the group for a second time.
