According to multiple sources, Eagles Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur—who started as a dark horse head coaching candidate—may be a serious candidate to lead the Oakland Raiders in 2015. Having interviewed already, it is now apparent that the Raiders have more than a passing interest in the man who has run Chip Kelly’s up-tempo offense for the last 2 years.
For those who are unaware, Shurmur got his coaching start in 1984: coaching Center & Linebackers for his alma mater, Michigan State. In East Lansing, he climbed as high as Tight Ends/Special Teams/Offensive Line coach for, then Spartan head coach, Nick Saban before leaving for Stanford in 1998. He spent just one year in Palo Alto before joining a rookie head coach in Philadelphia: working as Andy Reid’s tight ends & the offensive line coach. During his tenure with the Eagles, the franchise saw its most prolonged span of success and the development of the franchise’s most prolific QB in Donovan McNabb.
Shurmur’s ability to groom quarterbacks continued for a couple short seasons in St. Louis: where he molded Sam Bradford into the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: setting NFL rookie records in completions & attempts. Unfortunately for Shurmur, his offensive success led him to Cleveland. From 2011-2012, he led a terrible team to a combined 9-23 record in two seasons.
In 2013, he returned to Philly to lead the offense—with some minor input from some guy from Eugene, Oregon—to franchise records in points, touchdowns, net yards, passing yards, fewest turnovers, and an NFL record in explosive plays (greater than 20 yards).
Shurmur has had a notable coaching career that Oakland is hoping will continue in a talented AFC West. If nothing else, Shurmur should be able to continue the development of a seemingly-gifted, young quarterback in Derek Carr. Oakland may not be alone in this logic, as sources say Buffalo has been granted permission to interview Chip Kelly’s offensive coordinator. After EJ Manuel’s lackluster season, Bills ownership is likely looking for the next “quarterback whisperer” to get the former first-round pick back on track.
