The Raiders have hired Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton as an assistant coach.  The head coach, Lane Kiffin, reportedly wasn’t in on the decision.

Jerry McDonald of the Contra Costa Times reports that Kiffin received word of the Lofton hire from a “third party not affiliated with the club.”

Apparently, it’s the latest move in the effort by owner Al Davis to get Kiffin to quit. 

Though Lofton’s specific role has not yet been decided, it could be that Lofton will be the head coach, if/when Kiffin goes.  Lofton previously has interviewed twice for the head-coaching job.

And it’s becoming more and more obvious that Kiffin eventually will be gone.  He hasn’t resigned because, presumably, he doesn’t want to forfeit his right to the next two years of salary.  At some point, however, he might be able to claim that he has been constructively discharged, which would then allow him to resign while at the same time pursuing the balance of his salary.  Or, eventually, he’ll say or do something that will provide the team with a good-faith argument that Kiffin was fired for cause, which would block him from receiving any further pay.