IRVING, Texas - As the Las Vegas Raiders approach the end of the season, owner Mark Davis is focusing on evaluating the interim staff and planning for the future after the recent dismissals of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. Davis, who is on his fifth coaching hire and fourth general manager hire since assuming ownership in 2012, acknowledges the importance of making the right decisions to build a successful franchise.

Davis expressed his commitment to finding individuals with a passion for football and a strong work ethic during an interview at an NFL special league meeting. The team's situation has prompted Davis to prioritize fixing mistakes promptly, even at the expense of disrupting staff members' lives and families.

Interim general manager Champ Kelly has been given the opportunity to showcase his abilities through an extended interview process. Having joined the organization as an assistant GM, Davis spoke highly of Kelly's potential as a general manager, mentioning his previous interview for the position a year and a half ago.

Mark Davis has closely observed the performance of interim head coach Antonio Pierce, who took over after McDaniels' departure eight games into the season. Despite a recent three-game losing streak, Davis acknowledged the team's consistent effort throughout the season. He also lauded Pierce's leadership qualities and noted that the team has shown respect for him, highlighting his ability to connect with players.

While the defense has been performing well, the offense has struggled to capitalize on opportunities. Davis expressed frustration with the team's lack of offensive output, considering the drastic shift in performance from previous seasons.

With four games remaining, Davis emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the coaching staff's performance and evaluating their ability to adapt. He acknowledged that the evaluation process involves considering the circumstances in which Pierce assumed the head coaching role, including the presence of rookie offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree.

Looking ahead to the hiring process, Mark Davis intends to keep an open mind and intends to consider all potential candidates. While he has expressed interest in promoting the current interim staff, Davis understands the need to remain open to external options. He has already received numerous inquiries from agents representing prospective coaching candidates and plans to keep a record of potential hires.

When it comes to the order of hiring a new general manager and head coach, Davis believes that the GM should have a say in forming the coaching staff. Although he has not made a final decision, Davis stressed the importance of having a football mind involved in the organization but outside the traditional GM or head coach roles.

As the franchise owner responsible for the final decisions, Mark Davis takes full responsibility for the team's performance. He acknowledged that any failures rest on his shoulders and expressed a desire to turn things around. Davis remains hopeful that the interim staff can prove themselves and secure permanent positions but remains cautious about committing to any specific course of action until the season concludes.

As the Raiders focus on finishing the season and preparing for an important offseason, Davis is determined to make the right choices to propel the franchise forward.