By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
On Tuesday morning, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson decided to promote wide receivers coach Mike Groh to offensive coordinator. Duce Staley was also interviewed for the position, but the spot was given to Groh. At the time, ESPN's Tim McManus reported that Staley would be remaining in his current role as running back's coach, but it looks like he'll be getting a promotion as well. He's been a coach on the Eagles staff since 2011.
#Eagles coach Duce Staley's work is being recognized with a new title today: Assistant head coach/ running backs.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 20, 2018
Staley, 42, was drafted by the Eagles in 1997 and played for the Eagles through the 2003 season before signing with the Steelers prior to the 2004 season. He officially retired as a Philadelphia Eagle in December 2007 and the organization hired him as a coaching intern during the 2010 offseason. In 2011, he was promoted to special teams quality control coach before being promoted to running backs coach under Chip Kelly. Staley was interviewed for the head coach opening after Kelly was fired, but the Eagles instead went with Doug Pederson as Duce remained in his role as running backs coach.
Duce has been praised by numerous players he's worked with, most recently LeGarrette Blount. In an interview with NFL Network, Blount credited Staley for preparing each back for their specific role prior to games.
“I can’t say enough about Duce [RB coach Duce Staley] just for the simple fact of how well I was coached there and how he helped me understand things,” Blount told NFL Network's Total Access. “I feel like Duce is one of the best RB coaches. He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had in my entire life. I want to be a part of that for a while so we will see how it goes.”
Shortly after being acquired by the Eagles, Jay Ajayi was already looking forward to working with Staley after getting to speak with him briefly at training camp prior to their Super Bowl season.
"He's somebody that I can look up to," Ajayi told NJ.com. "Ever since I began following football, I can remember the name 'Duce Staley' as a Philadelphia Eagles running back. I"m excited that he'll be able to bring the best game out of me, and I'm just excited to be here."
Staley rushed for 4,807 yards and 22 touchdowns while also bringing in 10 receiving touchdowns in seven seasons with the Eagles from 1997-2004.
