Eagles Head Coaching Search: Requested Interviews and Rumor Roundup
We’re about 24 hours removed from Doug Pederson’s firing and the Eagles are linked to about a half-dozen coaching candidates.
Certainly there was a shortlist that existed prior to Monday afternoon. You don’t quit your job or fire an employee without having an idea of what might come next. As such, the Eagles are going through potential candidates as they look to replace the only coach to win a Super Bowl in franchise history.
Here are some of the coaches being linked to the gig:
Arthur Smith
Source says Eagles have asked permission to interview Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their head coach opening.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 12, 2021
We talked about Smith this morning.
In 2020, Tennessee put up 396 yards per game and was ranked third in total offense. They scored the league’s fourth-most points, ran for the second-most yards, and threw for 228 per game behind a rejuvenated Ryan Tannehill.
Robert Saleh
Eagles have requested permission to interview 49ers’ DC Robert Saleh for their HC job, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2021
Saleh has been linked to other jobs, and might end up with the Jets, who are reportedly flying him cross-country for a second interview.
He was the defensive quality control coach on the Seahawks team that won it all, then took the Jaguars’ linebacker gig before going on to become San Fran’s defensive coordinator. The Niners went 13-3 and lost to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl a season prior.
Todd Bowles
Eagles are requesting to interview Bucs DC Todd Bowles
According to Sal Pal pic.twitter.com/3bpNCc3dx6
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) January 12, 2021
Former Eagles secondary coach and interim defensive coordinator following Juan Castillo’s dismissal.
Bowles went on to become the Cardinals’ DC, then head coach of the Jets, and is now Bruce Arians’ defensive coordinator down in Tampa.
Lincoln Riley
Yes, as @kracze has reported, the #Eagles have already reached out to #Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, a source told me.
— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffPMosher) January 12, 2021
We also talked about Riley in the previous article.
He coached Jalen Hurts for one season at Oklahoma and I think he’s a better version of Kliff Kingsbury. He comes from that Mike Leach Texas Tech coaching tree and has a lot of smarts on the offensive side of the ball.
Mike Kafka
One name the #Eagles may consider: #Chiefs QB coach Mike Kafka. A former #Eagles player and member of the Andy Reid coaching tree, would keep an eye on this one.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2021
I don’t think Eagles fans are interested in Kafka, who is currently the Chiefs’ QB coach and passing game coordinator.
Duuuuuuuuce
Duce Staley #NextManUp !!! Every time he stood in front of the team he had the attention and respect of everyone in the room. The embodiment of what it means to be an 🦅 @Eagles , in a coach. I’m good where I’m at lol BUT, In another lifetime I’d love to play for him!
— Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) January 11, 2021
I’m the leader of the Duce Staley Coaching Committee but I think they are rolling with a fresh start. https://t.co/hAGepRuhuf
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) January 11, 2021
The former players speak highly of Duce Staley, who should absolutely be considered. Jeffrey Lurie says he will be. I just hope that if Duce gets the job, he’s given a fair shake, and it doesn’t turn into some two-year stop gap kind of thing while the team rebuilds. Think Pat Shurmur in New York. He’s been here long enough and earned the right to get a legit interview and reasonable consideration for the gig.