A lot can happen in 14 years. In modern football, in any era
of football, to be exact, coaches come and go in those 14 years. Players sign
six and seven year deals while a majority of coaches struggle to make it past
four or five. And yet, in a period where Detroit and Tampa Bay each struggled
through seven coaches, the Eagles and Andy Reid have survived. Though he will
be surpassed in two years by Bill Belichick, Reid has done something
incredible. Some say it may be because of a troubled front office, while others
say he stood for more than just a head coach. However you saw the situation
play out, you can be nothing but thankful for a guy that stuck around so long.
Kansas City just wrapped up a year in which they won two
games, secured the number one overall draft pick, and grew an intense bond
after dealing with the deaths of a player and his family. It is without
question that Andy Reid chose the Chiefs because he was getting complete
control. I would not be surprised to see Reid choose a quarterback in a year
where quarterbacks are scarce, let alone worth a number one pick. But that’s
not important. What’s important for Philly now is their new head coach (and
that Kansas City will be in town next year).
So who is in the running for the next head coach of the
Eagles? In the middle of the season, Jon Gruden seemed to be the hot commodity
in town. As the season began to wind down, Chip Kelly became the favorite. Other
names have been thrown around now that Reid has moved on, but who are they?
Jon Gruden
Fans mostly remember Gruden from his days as head coach of
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Some recall his time as coach of the Oakland Raiders.
And yet, few know that Gruden was once the offensive coordinator here in
Philly. While he did win a Super Bowl, Gruden has not been a coach in over five
years. There’s no reason to say he can’t come back in his groove, though. He
hasn’t fallen out of football, after all. In the booth, you do still get to
study schemes and plays around the league. There is enough talent to support
Gruden’s style, but is there enough to attract him here?
Charles (Chip) Kelly
Hopefully nothing like his namesake character on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Chip
Kelly hails from the college football world. Since 2009, he has coached the
Oregon Ducks to a 46-7 record, multiple bowl appearances, and a BCS appearance
in 2010. With several coaching awards on his belt, Kelly would seem to be a
perfect fit for any team. However, his college play calling has become a source
of concern for some. It has been likened to the Wild Cat, which looked genius when
first instituted in the league, that has been solved and easily defended. This
could all be for naught, though, as it has been reported that Kelly is close to
signing with an old friend of the Eagles: Joe Banner and his Browns.
Mike McCoy
McCoy probably isn’t a name you knew before the season,
though he has been a coach in the league for twelve years. He is an interesting
candidate, as he has been the offensive coordinator for the last two years in
Denver. That means that McCoy was the person that was forced to make Tim Tebow
the starter last season, and managed to turn him into a playoff win. Now his job
has become a bit simpler with Peyton Manning at the helm, but his plays are
still providing wins for the Broncos. After spending eight years in Carolina
and the previous four in Denver, McCoy is on his first true playoff run. A
Super Bowl ring may change his decision, but he could be a viable option for
the Eagles.
Bruce Arians
Arians has bounced around the league for the past 20+ years,
with several stints in college football as well. He has held a spot as the
coach of nearly every offensive position for several teams. His most notable
feat came just this season. With Andrew Luck coming in Indianapolis, Chuck
Pagano was set to squeak out a four-win season and breed another Peyton
Manning. Instead, a victorious battle with cancer put Pagano on the sidelines
for almost the entire season, leaving offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to
drive the Colts to an 11-5 record and a near division title. Arian’s one knock?
His age. At 60 years old, Arians can still hold his own, but for how long?
Plenty of other names have also emerged, such as Gus Bradley
and Doug Marrone. Neither seem to be favorites at this point, but things can
quickly change. While former coaches (Bill Cowher, Bill Parcells, etc.) have
gotten some attention, I don’t see any of them returning to the game.
Who do you want as the Eagles’ next coach? Who did I forget
to list? Let me hear all your comments and bashing on Twitter @AndrewJGillen
