Friday evening, the Raiders officially announced which coaches they will be retaining. Among those were senior offensive assistant Al Saunders, tight ends coach Mark Hutson, and wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore who had yet to be officially named or reported.

Among those not on the list were defensive backs coaches Clayton Lopez and Jonnie Lynn along with assistant special teams coach, Keith Burns, and strength and conditioning coach, Al Miller, who is replaced by former assistant strength and conditioning coach, John Grieco.

The entire list of assistant coaches retained is as follows:

Bobby April, Special Teams Coordinator

John DeFilippo, Quarterbacks

Ted Gilmore, Wide Receivers

John Grieco, Strength and Conditioning

Justin Griffith, Quality Control - Offense

Mark Hutson, Tight Ends

Greg Olson, Offensive Coordinator

Bob Sanders, Linebackers

Eric Sanders, Quality Control - Defense

Al Saunders, Senior Offensive Assistant

Kelly Skipper, Running Backs

Tony Sparano, Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line

Jason Tarver, Defensive Coordinator

Terrell Williams, Defensive Line

Someone had to be held accountable for the poor performance by the Raiders defense and the defensive backs coaches are a sensible place to look. After all, this defense set a new franchise record for passing touchdowns given up in a game (7) and in a season (33).

This keeps Dennis Allen's staff almost entirely intact. The only coaches who are not retained are those the Raiders very likely did not want to return. It puts to rest early concerns about Mark Davis perhaps digging in his heels on only handing out one-year extensions. He may have put that offer out there initially but his willingness to be flexible in the face of the possibility of losing key assistants is admirable and refreshing. We know that at very least Tony Sparano received a two-year deal and perhaps others as well, though not announced.

Though the Raiders went 4-12 last season, there is something to be said about continuity. This staff will be given at least one more season to see what they can do with a full salary to spend on player additions and another draft.

Follow @LeviDamien