He has previously coached for the Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and Atlanta Hawks.

With future NBA players Steve Nash and Marlon Garnett, the Santa Clara Broncos made the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament three times in four years from 1993 to 1996.

[3] He was an honorable mention for all-West Coast Conference and averaged 7.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game during his college playing years.

[4][5] Pierce started coaching by serving as a volunteer for the position of director of basketball operations at Santa Clara in the 2002–03 season.

After graduation, he was a special education teacher for Pinnacle Academy in Santa Clara and also worked for a local financial services firm.