Thoughts on What Comes After Andy
Like everybody else, I'm trying to think about what the Eagles might do when this disappointing season ends and Andy Reid's 14-year coaching tenure presumably ends.
Thoughts on What Comes After Andy
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Like everybody else, I'm trying to think about what the Eagles might do when this disappointing season ends and Andy Reid's 14-year coaching tenure presumably ends.
I'll be really surprised if the choice is some guy who won a Super Bowl elsewhere -- Jon Gruden, Brian Billick, even Bill Cowher, who tends to be more highly regarded than Gruden or Billick in NFL circles. A couple of reasons there: 1. Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman think of themselves as bold, innovative people; they are unlikely to settle for trying to recreate what someone did somewhere else, and more important, 2. IT NEVER WORKS. How many coaches have won a Super Bowl somewhere, then gone somewhere else and won another? The answer is nobody, never, ever. Not Vince Lombardi, not Bill Parcells, not Mike Holmgren, who came closest, not Mike Shanahan.
This last point is something too few people in the fan base seem to understand. The objective here is not to hire somebody who will give us entertaining press conferences, or somebody who once beat the Eagles in an important game.
One caveat: I'd make an exception for Sean Payton, who would be available under unique circumstances that might make him different from the other retreads. But I really don't think Payton is leaving New Orleans, and if he does, he has strong ties to Dallas.
I'm pretty sure Lurie and Roseman will go for a "bright young man" type. Of course, that has its risks, too. A lot of those guys look less bright, once they're in charge. See Steve Spagnuolo, Todd Haley, Ron Rivera, Tony Sparano, etc.
The guy that everybody is talking about, in regard to every potential NFL coaching vacancy, is Oregon coach Chip Kelly, who certainly is a successful innovator. I am leery. Kelly has never spent a minute in the NFL, as a player or coach. "Pure" college coaches have been really, really unsuccessful in the NFL lately -- Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban, Bobby Petrino. Yes, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Schiano have been good hires, but both had strong NFL backgrounds, which they took to college coaching, before returning to the NFL.
Besides, Kelly is the guy who, when a disgruntled Ducks fan wrote him demanding a refund for traveling to a loss at Boise State, sent the guy a check for $439. The Eagles have a much larger, more critical fanbase. I see looming bankruptcy for Chip if he comes here.
And it would be hard to keep up with uniforms that would change constantly.
More seriously, Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is not a bright YOUNG man -- he's my age, 56 -- but Zimmer, the longtime Cowboys d-coordinator, sure knows defense.
Dirk Koetter, the Atlanta offensive coordinator, is going to be a hot name if the Falcons' success holds up into the playoffs. He's 53, has been a college head coach, unlike Zimmer, who is a career assistant.
It also might be relevant that Roseman's agent is Bob LaMonte, Reid's agent, and the guy who sometimes seems to orchestrate NFL coaching moves. Jon Gruden is a LaMonte client, as is his brother Jay, the Bengals' offensive coordinator.
But really, the hottest guys will be the top assistants on the teams that get to the Super Bowl. That game will be played more than a month after the Eagles' season concludes. (I'm assuming, I think safely, there will be no Andy-job-saving run into the playoffs).
Will the Eagles have hired a coach by then? As somebody who's going to have to cover this, I think that would be nice, but it's unlikely. I would anticipate a meticulous search, with Lurie and Roseman seeking advice from people they know across the league, weighing variables, holding multiple interviews. One goal here is to go another 14 years without having to do this. There is no need to rush.
Comments (60)
The Eagles Defense is where the problem lies however, can a defensive minded coach bring Foles along? With coaching opportunities in Florida and California, I don't see the Eagles being a prime opportunity. Why would Kelly come east to Philly when San Diego should be available?
Personally I'm not sold on this being Reid's farewell song. Lurie didn't say this was a make or break year for Reid, he said 8 and 8 wouldn't be good enough. That does not translate to Reid being Fired.
Considering Reid didn't have such a bad draft in 2012, there are a lot worse the Eagles can do than retain Reid as their coach for one last hurrah.
I'm not sold on a noted coach optioning to come to Philly to walk in the foot print left by Andy Reid.— Dexter- Rest in Peace Jim Johnson.— maxwellinformed
- Howie can't get any credit if they bring in a "Name" guy. Howie knows the new coach must be an inexperienced guy just eager for a chance. Someone that will take the job with little Howie calling the shots.— Kioto
- It's a shame.Before Reid we had decades of mediocre teams [except for a few years with Vermeil and a little hope with Budd].Andy brought a sense of pride and accomplishment to the franchise.If he goes he deserves some respect and gratitude.I would ask one question before you he's thrown to the wolves....How many teams have survived 4 out of 5 starting linemen going down [including the center and the best left guard in the league].Has anyone ever won anything in that situation ??I'm afraid we in for another stretch of mediocrity because the GM's strength is NOT judging talent.— mike garman
- Kevin McBride, balanced offense, pocket passer, SB winner!!!
— hodigger - Bring McNabb back and make him head coach. They may not win and the team may have no heart but at least he won't be saying "he needs to do a better job" after every loss....he'll blame everyone else for sure.— The Dude Abides
- As long as Howie is the GM, we are in trouble. This organization loves to put a square peg in a round hole. OL coach to DC, draft a guard to play tackle, put a laywer in charge of personnel, it goes on & on. The defense has 3 facets; line, linebackers & DB working against each other. I can go on forever. Completely disgusted.— domdee15
- A commander in charge of sh*t is still going to a a sh*t commander. Birds need to clean house and get some real O-line talent in as well as some innovative coaching staff.— LarsMendte2
- When evaluating a coach one should look at things like, how good of a talent evaluator the coach is, how the coach identifies and takes advantage of competitive advantages while diminishing advantages of opponents, and how effective of a motivator the coach is. Basically. how much is a coach like Jimmy Johnson. Boo hiss I know, but he was one helluva coach, and makes for an ideal template. Obviously some pedigree is important. What is scary is that the dominant coaching pedigree in the NFL today descends from Andy himself.— HeelYes
- You morons will never have a leading coach like Tom Coughlin or Bill Parcells! Go Giants!— MRD
- As interesting, where does Andy go? San Diego? Philadelphia has become an professional and personal black hole for Reid. His family problems and the team problems.— Eagles1980
- Les, I thought Kelley coaches Notre Dame, not Oregon. I don't want him anyway. Agree with those who feel that with Roseman continuing making personnel decisions, we are up the creek big time. Make the right move, Lurie. We are counting on you.— Ballgame
- Holy Schnocky, Jaws as GM would crush the NFL!
I have to concede your point on the retreads Les. Well played my friend, well played.— WestonF01 - Jeff Lurie will continue to send a "social" message with whomever he hires:
First Female NFL Coach - Linda McMahon is available; Anybody who has done time and can't get a job; Survivors of life-threatening diseases - Asperger's Disorder comes to mind; Minority Members - particularly aging, White Republicans; Survivors of any natural disaster - "Sandy" would be appropriate in this neck of the woods...— He Visto Todo - Ironically, the hottest head coach on the market this offseason will be Andy Reid (other than Bill Cowher).— p-diddy
- The only coaches that will come here with Mailroom Howie in charge are unknowns desperate for a HC job or mediocre retreads. No serious candidate is going to look at Howie's record of horrible drafts and FA signings and answer to someone so clueless about football.
I don't care how smart Lurie thinks Howie is, smart doesn't mean knowing jack about football. Stephen Hawking is pretty smart and he'd make a lousy GM, too.— Only in Philly... - "A couple of reasons there: 1. Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman think of themselves as bold, innovative people;"
They're bold, innovative people alright. They boldly innovate new ways to add to the Eagles championship drought.— Atomic Fury - As long as Brownoseman has any say in the makeup of this team this organization will continue to be a laughingstock. The only real question is how long can Lurie continue to bilk the Kool Aiders out of their hard earned money. My guess is a long long time.— Scope33
- "Brownoseman"? Really? Did you get any sleep yesterday, or were you up all night thinking of that comedic gem? But seriously, your jokes are terrible, and in the future you should keep them to yourself.
— DixonBunz - What about Jimmy Johnson? He built that team from scratch and turned them into a real dynasty, unlike the eagles.— nonshad
- Were your parents cousins? — DixonBunz
- we need to do a better job coaching— pr0f3ss0r
- All is well...Pee Wee Roseman and Jeff "Gold Standard" Laurie are on the job. What could possibly go wrong with that combination? Times yours.— kelprod2-freemarket
- Thank you Coach Reid for the many successful years with the Eagles. The recent issues with the team have not all benn your fault, but in light of current circumstances, which are all inclusive and systematic wide, a coaching change and potential overhaul of the team is necessary. Silver lining is that the Eagles have a lot to offer a new, top caliber coach...super loyal fans, big payroll, supportive management (Lauires gave Reid 14yrs...pretty patient), decent existing talent pool, ability to bring in entirely new system and coaching staff and ( unfortunately), the Eagles will likely have high draft choices in next years draft.
— elixmusic - Bring back Rich Kotite— killamagilla
- I can see Andy getting one more year since he s already paid for. Otherwise, josh McDaniel gets the job because Laurie sucks patriots pipe.— djack10
- Can I just add how tacky it is that there's such an obsession with talking about Reid getting fired every single week, the constant conjecture on who will replace him. How about he gets fired 1st, before that, there's plenty of substance to talk about with the Eagles. It's really some repugnant stuff.— Phila Phans
- Andy and Marty are not going anywhere. They both passed Andy's bye-week assessments.
Time's your's— BornOnTheWrongSide_of_PA - What if Andy follows Andy? Everyone is acting like this is a forgone conclusion. Are you really confident that you can predict what this organization will do? Just saying.— gho_matt
- It's all a moot point with Howie Roseman running the show. But if we can dream......John Harbaugh should never have been allowed to get away from here, so he would be a favorite should the Ravens fall in the playoffs again. Sean Payton would find this ownership more stable to work under then Jerry Jones in Dallas. Brian Billick would be interesting, too. But my first priority would be a top notch GM to replace Roseman. I believe Tom Donahoe is with us in an advisory capacity. I would feel better if he were elevated to the GM spot....— DelawareRiverRat
- It's all a moot point with Howie Roseman running the show. But if we can dream......John Harbaugh should never have been allowed to get away from here, so he would be a favorite should the Ravens fall in the playoffs again. Sean Payton would find this ownership more stable to work under then Jerry Jones in Dallas. Brian Billick would be interesting, too. But my first priority would be a top notch GM to replace Roseman. I believe Tom Donahoe is with us in an advisory capacity. I would feel better if he were elevated to the GM spot....— DelawareRiverRat
- Rosemen is responsible for the talent on this team, there is no way he should be allowed to stay if Andy is gone. Roseman gave Philly these sorry linemen, and a Tight End that can't block or catch.— Dexter
- Funny guys... and if Reid (and his gold standard crew) leaves we're still stuck with WONDER BOY Howie... so it'll never end unless Lurie sells the team (I wish!)
And how come no one is mentioning Josh McDaniels? His theory about quality people who play good sound FB reminded me of the best coach the Eagles ever had, one Dick Vermeil!— desjones - I don't understand why so many are sold on Jon Gruden. He won with a team that Tony Dungy put together.— MrJayScott
- Okay everyone the fat man is about to sing like the fat lady so knowing that and the fact we have a putz of a GM with a new contract do you see anything that gives you confidence going forward? These people have zero clue and we expect a miracle to happen......fagettaboutit!— d1955h
- Okay everyone the fat man is about to sing like the fat lady so knowing that and the fact we have a putz of a GM with a new contract do you see anything that gives you confidence going forward? These people have zero clue and we expect a miracle to happen......fagettaboutit!— d1955h
- As long as Lurie owns this mess of an organization, it is pointless for anyone to expect our Eagles to secure a Super Bowl victory - much less who he should hire to get them there.— Atomic Fury
- There have been several coaches to bring 2 teams to the superbowl and or conference championship games. Vermeil, Reeves, Parcells, Holmgren come to mind. Les are you saying they didn't do a good job with their former and future teams? I think Canton Ohio says otherwise.— willbert31
- The point is, good isn't good enough any more! Don't you want a Superbowl win? I do! I'm, sick of a playoff appearance and then hearing "we're just a player or two away - we'll get them next year"! 14 years (well maybe 8 years actually!) of almost but not quite has got to end! — gdibig
- Jon Gruden (HC) and then pull Monte Kiffin (DC) away from his son at USC.— ReallyReallyReally?
- Team doesnt need a new head coach, it does need a new offensive coordinator, maybe DC too. Other than Payton and maybe Dungy, none of the names mentioned are better than Reid and that includes Cowher and Gruden. Reid needs to go but the next coach has big shoes to fill and I wonder how many years we will beg for 9-7 or 8-8. Doesn't anyone remember the late 90's and the mid 80's or even worse almost all of the 60-70's Vermeil, Buddy Ryan ended the horror of the modern Eagles. Neither are equal to Reid. So bring Dawkins back in any capacity he wants. Mascot, HC, DC, GM, QB or owner I don't care. This team needs heart and soul. Dawkins immediately needs to make sure Trotter and Douglas are back too. Without some passion this team will never get back to the superbowl.— willbert31
- Maybe McNabb can get a job on the new staff. Don and Deuce can reunite on the sidelines.— gho_matt
- Please, please, not Jon Gruden!!!!!! All he does is talk and talk some more; never shuts the heck up. Another fraud just like the FAT MAN. Be careful for what you wish!— oneway
- "8-8 is unacceptable" does not equate to Andy Reid being fired--even if they go 3-13.
From what I've witnessed recently, especially the Election Day announcement of Howie R's hanging-out a few more year--the very day WIP's Angelo was screaming for Reid's termination!--one can foresee Andy's return. Mr. Lurie gave Angelo a little B-slap to remind us all who's boss.— Cowg3 - It was announced that day - the extension was done before the season started. — gdibig
- Unless the guy they hire can play QB, OL, LB and Safety it doesn't really matter. This is a BAD, BAD, BAD,BAD team. Has been since 2004 and isn't going to change in the next 5 years - no matter how much the Phily Press gushes.— Bama
- GREAT POINT BAMA!!! REID HAS CREATED SUCH A MESS THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE AT LEAST 5 OR 6 DRAFTS TO FIX THE MESS THAT ARROGANT ANDY HAS CREATED. — bedpan
- Les, the reason it "never works" is because those coaches who move on after winning are given more GM duties with their new teams. As superbowl winning coaches, they were not the architects of their franchises. so say it "never works" is misleading and not the whole story. Holmgren was a disaster when he was given complete control over the talent. Parcels was mediocre. JJ had a huge payday with a boon of picks from the Hershel Walker trade in Dallas. He didn't have that in Miami. The eagles though need to get that architect in here. It's not the CPA turned talent evaluator Roseman. They need a real GM here to build the franchise and let him be the guy who brings in the coach. Everyone is putting the cart in front of the horse. We criticized Reid for hiring a DL coach before he had a defensive coordinator. making a hire for a coach before the GM is in place is the same thing— mold1103
- Parcells was far from mediocre...after winning a pair of Super Bowls with the Giants he turned around a bad Pats' franchise and had them in the Super Bowl, then took over the ruins of the Kotite-led Jets and had them in the AFC Championship game, and then took Dallas to the playoffs for the first time in a long time and would have won in Seattle if Romo hadn't fumbled the FG snap.
The right guy can do it, let's hope they find him!— lhp1122 - Virtually every discussion re: Eagles puts the cart before th horse or locks the barn after the horse is gone, mold1103. That's the weird position in which all Eagles fans find themselves. Not good. — Cowg3
- This team needs a real GM as part of the rebuilding process. Someone with a high football IQ like Jaws or Billick - then select a new coaching staff. If Howie stays with his current responsibilities in tact then we are doomed.— section117
- I do not believe that Don Shula won a Super bowl with the Colts, though I do believe that he won an NFL championship there before there was a Super Bowl.— rtronce
- Howie's new four year contract tells us that we are in for many more years of football misery.— phillystarfish
- Don Shula won with both the Colts and the Dolphins. Les, you are old enough to remember that, aren't you?
Granted, it was 30 years ago, but it was still the Super Bowl. So I guess "nobeody, never, ever" is not entirely accurate.— StumpyPepys - Wow, Stumpy - You put yourself on the hot dog stand with no mustard, no relish, no ketchup, no onions, no buns and the hot dog was raw!
Don't you feel like a penny asking for change? - You can't possibly be serious with this. Do you know how easy it is to just look up Super Bowl winning coaches? You don't see Shula's name next to Colts, do you? My God.
Others who tried and failed were Hank Stram, Joe Gibbs couldn't repeat the magic his 2nd time through, George Seifert, also.
Please get your facts straight before you start jumping on other people's throats with both feet.— Phila Phans - Shula never won a Super Bowl with the Colts. They won the year after he left under Don McCafferty. — Red Shirt Blues
- jay gruden as head coach and maybe bring his D coordinator with him. jay as head coach and jon as DC the brother wreaking havoc in the nfl. im just saying— defroe
- Um, Jon Gruden was an offensive coach prior to becoming a head coach. So making him defensive coordinator would be a bigger disaster than putting Juan Castillo in that role. — freethinker88
- As long as Howie is involved in the decision process, the Tonner has no fear. The Eagles will be bottom-feeders until Jeffy brings in a guy like Bill Polian to rebuild this mess of an organization. Until then, the Tonner will find something else to do with his Sundays. Genny Cream Ale and washy washy come to mind.
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Eagletarian is your home for comprehensive coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Les Bowen
Daily News Staff Writer
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Daily News NFL Columnist
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