Oakland Raiders name Hue Jackson new head coach

OAKLAND // The Oakland Raiders have promoted Hue Jackson to head coach from his previous position as offensive coordinator, the team announce.

Jackson, who became the team's sixth head coach since 2003, replaces Tom Cable after Oakland declined to pick up the option on his contract earlier this month. It is Jackson's first head coaching position.

"The fire in Hue will set a flame that will burn for a long time in the hearts and minds of the Raider football team and the Raider nation," Raiders owner Al Davis told the team's website (raiders.com).

Jackson took over as Oakland's offensive coordinator prior to last season and made a major impact. The Raiders doubled their scoring output from the previous season and finished sixth in the NFL in points per game.

Oakland are coming off an 8-8 season, the franchise's best since 2002.