{"id":34155,"date":"2017-11-21T19:37:18","date_gmt":"2017-11-22T00:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=34155"},"modified":"2017-11-21T19:37:18","modified_gmt":"2017-11-22T00:37:18","slug":"raiders-fire-defensive-coordinator-ken-norton-jr-promote-john-pagano","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/11\/21\/raiders-fire-defensive-coordinator-ken-norton-jr-promote-john-pagano\/","title":{"rendered":"Oakland Raiders Fire Defensive Coordinator Ken Norton Jr., Promote John Pagano"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a move that Oakland Raiders<\/a> fans have been calling for, the team announced that they have fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton<\/a> Jr.<\/strong> The writing was on the wall for the coach. Many already felt was on thin ice for being at the helm of an under-performing defense the past couple years.<\/p>\n

Raiders Fire Defensive Coordinator Ken Norton Jr., Promote John Pagano<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The NFL network’s Ian Rapoport broke the news earlier today:<\/p>\n

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Sources: The #Raiders<\/a> have fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton, per @MikeSilver<\/a> and me. Big change.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 21, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Norton had been with the Raiders since Jack Del Rio<\/a><\/strong> and his new regime took over in 2015. He started his career<\/a> at USC as the linebackers coach from 2004-2009. Then he followed Pete Carroll<\/strong> over to the NFL serving as the Seattle Seahawks<\/a> linebackers coach from 2010-2014.<\/p>\n

His undoing was his inability to create a respectable pass defense. Each of his years as defensive coordinator, the Raiders ranked in the bottom quarter of the league<\/a>. Oakland\u2019s defense ranked 21st<\/sup> in total defense on the season<\/a>. Last year they were ranked 20th. The Raiders are also the only team in NFL history ever to not record an interception after 10 games of a season.<\/p>\n

Michael Silver reports that John Pagano<\/strong> will take over as defensive coordinator:<\/p>\n

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John Pagano will take over as Raiders DC<\/p>\n

\u2014 Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) November 21, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Pagano was hired as the assistant head coach earlier in the offseason. He takes over a reeling Raiders defense that looks to put their embarrassing loss to the New England Patriots<\/a> behind them. This weekend, Oakland goes up against division rivals Denver Broncos<\/a>. Second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch<\/a><\/strong> will get his first start of the season.<\/p>\n

Now, Pagano will get his chance to turn the Raiders defense around in what looks like a lost season for the silver and black.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>