It’s official: the Raiders have fired Defensive Coordinator Ken Norton Jr. John Pagano Will be taking over defensive play calling duties.
“After careful thought, I have made a difficult decision to part ways with Ken Norton, Jr. as defensive coordinator,” Head Coach Jack Del Rio said in an official statement. “I have the utmost respect for Ken as a person and as a coach, but I feel that moving John Pagano into the play-calling role will best utilize his wealth of experience. I appreciate Ken’s passion and commitment to the Raiders since coming aboard and wish him the best going forward.”
Raiders fans have been calling for Norton to be fired for 2 years but up until now Head Coach Jack Del Rio never seemed to be willing to pull the trigger. That appears to have changed after the team’s disastrous start to the season. The Raiders defense has been horrendous causing only 6 turnovers, none of which were by interception.
In three seasons under Norton the Raiders have been 21st, 20th and 21st in points allowed. While also being seeded at 22nd, 26th and 26th in yards allowed under the former player.
Norton was signed to be the Raiders Defensive Coordinator before the 2015 season after coaching LB’s for the Seattle Seahawks. The hope was he could bring over the same style of defense and attitude the Seahawks Legion of Boom has played with. Unfortunately there has been nothing resembling such a defense in his tenure in Oakland.
Editor’s note: Levi Damien contributed to this article.
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