Raiders announce 13 additions to Gruden’s staff
Team’s former head coach leads group of 13 assistants hired
The Raiders announced the hirings of 13 assistants Thursday as Jon Gruden’s staff fills out. Here they are, with brief background on each, led by a former Raiders head coach:
Tom Cable, offensive line: Cable was the Raiders’ interimhead coach for the final 12 games of 2008 and permanent head coach for 2009 and 2010. During that time, he compiled a record of 1727. From 2011-17, Cable served as an assistant head coach/offensive line coach for the Seahawks.
Derrick Ansley, defensive backs: Ansley coached Alabama’s defensive backs the last two seasons, which included a win and a loss in the national championship game. Next season will be his first in the NFL. Before Alabama, he coached defensive backs at Kentucky and Tennessee.
Edgar Bennett, wide receiv- ers: Bennett has been on the Green Bay Packers’ staff the past 13 seasons, serving as offensive coordinator for the last three seasons. He also coached Green Bay’s running backs (2005-10) and wide receivers (2011-14). Bennett played eight NFL seasons as a running back for the Packers and Bears.
Jemal Singleton, running backs: Singleton comes from the Colts, where he coached running backs the last two seasons. Before Indianapolis, Singleton spent time on the staffs at Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Air Force.
David Lippincott, linebackers: From 2012-17, Lippincott served as assistant linebackers/ quality control coach for the Bengals. He started with Cincinnati in 2008, and now joins the Raiders after a lengthy tenure with the Bengals like defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.
Frank Smith, tight ends: Smith coached tight ends for the Bears the past three seasons. From 2010-14, Smith coached the offensive line with the Saints. Smith coached at Butler and Miami (Ohio) before jumping to the NFL.
Mike Trgovac, defensive line: Trgovac spent the past nine seasons overseeing Green Bay’s defensive line. His NFL coaching career began in 1995, when he was on the same Eagles staff as Gruden. Trgovac has also worked with the Panthers and Washington.
JimO’Neil, senior defensive assistant: O’Neil was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2016 and served in the same position for the Browns in 2014 and 2015. He also coached with the Bills and Jets from 2009-13.
Byron Storer, assistant special teams: Storer enters his second stint on new special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia’s staff, the first coming in 2010 with the Buccaneers. Storer has also coached with the Chargers and played in 16 games for the Buccaneers from 2007- 09.
Travis Smith, quality control— defense: Smith is one of two assistants retained by the Raiders and enters his seventh season with the team. He coached Oakland’s outside linebackers this season after serving various defensive roles since 2012.
NickHolz, quality control— offense: Holz is the other holdover from Jack Del Rio’s staff. He’s also entering his seventh season on the Raiders’ staff, andmost recently held the title of assistant wide receivers coach. He held various offensive positions on staff since 2012.
Dave Razzano, director of football research: Razzano spent the past six years as a scout with the Colts. He brings 25 years of scouting experience with the 49ers, Rams and Cardinals.
Tim Berbenich, quality control — offense: Berbenich spent the last two seasons as an assistant quarterbacks coach with the Colts. He served in three different offensive roles on Gruden’s Tampa Bay staff from 2006- 08. His NFL coaching career began with the Jets in 2000.