Norton fired, Pagano takes job
The Raiders fired defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. on Tuesday, altering their coaching staff in the midst of a disappointing season.
John Pagano will take over the duties of making the defensive calls. The Raiders hired Pagano, the former defensive coordinator of the Chargers, as assistant head coach-defense in January.
“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 a statement released by the team.
“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.”
Norton joined the Raiders along with Del Rio before the 2015 season after five seasons as the linebackers coach in Seattle. Oakland ranked 22nd in total defense in 2015 and 26th last season, as the team went 12-4 and reached the postseason for the first time since 2002.
Through 10 games this season, the Raiders (4-6) rank 26th in total defense (367 yards per
game) and 27th against the pass (253.2 yards per game). The defense has allowed the highest opponents’ passer rating (113.3) in the NFL and is the first in league history to not record an interception in its first 10 games.
Despite the presence of reigning Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack, the Raiders are tied with the Giants for fewest sacks (14) in the NFL. The defense gave up 420 total yards in the Raiders’ 33-8 loss to New England on Sunday.
The Raiders had just completed a walk-through practice Tuesday when news of Norton’s firing broke. Players who spoke to reporters in the locker room, where Norton was a popular figure, said the move reflected the defense’s performance as a whole.
“We for sure could’ve (done) some other stuff, some different things,” defensive tackle Justin Ellis said. Norton “made some good points while he was here. We played under our talent level — and those things come with consequences.”
Norton played 13 seasons in the NFL, seven with the 49ers and six with the Cowboys, with whom he was a teammate of Del Rio. Norton won three Super Bowl rings as a player and one while a member of Seattle’s coaching staff.
“Everybody felt it in this building,” Raiders safety Reggie Nelson said. “Players, we love Norton regardless. Unfortunately, the production wasn’t at a high standard this year.”
Norton coached a depleted secondary for much of the season. Cornerback Gareon Conley, a first-round pick, played in just two games because of a shin injury and was placed on injured reserve last week. Safety Obi Melifonwu, a second-round pick who spent the first eight games on IR, started at cornerback Sunday because of the Raiders’ struggles at that position.
Pagano has worked primarily with the defensive backs in his first season with Oakland.
“My experience with coach Pagano, it’s all been good,” Nelson said. “We shouldn’t skip a beat ’cause he’s been in that room all year.”
The Chargers under Pagano last season tied for the NFL lead with 18 interceptions. The Raiders have no interceptions and a minus-9 turnover margin that ranks 29th in the league. The Raiders were plus-16 in that category last season, tied for best in the NFL.
On Sunday, the Raiders face a Denver team that also made a change this week, firing offensive coordinator Mike McCoy on Monday and replacing him with Bill Musgrave.
The Raiders fired Musgrave, their offensive coordinator in 2015 and ’16, in January.