Eagles' Mudd Ready To Retire Again
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles' Mudd Ready To Retire Again
Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist
If Andy Reid wants another NFL head-coaching job after the Eagles let him go later this month, he’ll have no trouble finding one. Wherever he winds up, though, he’s going to need a new offensive line coach.
Howard Mudd acknowledged to the Daily News Thursday what most people had already suspected – he’s calling it quits after the season.
``I decided quite a while ago,’’ the 71-year-old Mudd said. ``I gotta go be a grandpa. That was the plan two years ago and Andy talked me out of it. But this time, it’s going to be permanent.
``I told my wife last night, I really like coaching. But it’s time.’’
Mudd is one of the league’s best offensive line coaches. He’s been coaching NFL offensive lines for 37 years. Spent 12 years with the Colts before retiring after the ’09 season.
Reid coaxed him out retirement last year after making the controversial decision to switch Juan Castillo from offensive line coach to defensive coordinator.
The offensive line was one of the Eagles’ biggest concerns at the start of the ’11 season. By the end of the year, it was one of their greatest strengths.
Injuries wreaked havoc with Mudd’s unit this season. He lost All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters to a ruptured Achilles tendon last spring. Center Jason Kelce tore his ACL in Week 2 and right tackle Todd Herremans suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 9. Right guard Danny Watkins also was out for more than a month with an ankle injury.
Is he glad he came back?
``Oh yeah,’’ Mudd said. ``It’s all about the people. The players you coach. The coaches you work with. The owner. But it’s time.’’
Amen Jim35,A new coaching staff that can communicate with and motivate the modern day athelete....hopefully something like the dominant defense and strong run game of the Vermiel era...a change in attitude is what's needed most and the new head coach needs to be someone players respect...I love what Reid did for Philly but the players obviously don't respect him anymore.— greenbloodVAEagle- YO PaulSoTx,I hear Ya but Duce can't be on the field...the failure of this season has many faces and the players have left a lot to be desired...mostly,I'm just saying I like and respect Staley and have a gut feeling for his coaching ability but what do I know? I don't think Howie Roseman will be fired though....seems like he'll be the one designing the new regime for Lurie IMO.— greenbloodVAEagle
- Chip Kelly/David Shaw!— DeathPenalty94
- Sadly, the king of speedy midget linemen (with high motors) will retire for good. For God's sake, man - go be a grandpa and never darken our towels again!— NM Eagle fan
- Now that I've read what the fans' response was, I wonder what his wife's response was when he told her "last night." I'm guessing it was something along the lines of "thank god, I couldn't take another season of watching King Dunlap."— CFPhilsPhan
- 1st thing Monday morning works for me— rustypop58
- I like that picture of Mudd. Looks like a great imitation of Joe Cocker. And its 'High Time He Went."— watsonmr
- lol @ coach mudd getting in the life boat before its in the water.— bloodymess
- Good! Mudd should retire and so should the rest of the Eagles coaching staff. They all stink which is why the Eagles stink!— Panthro2011
- LOL ghost, right on! We keep hearing about how great these assistants are yet they have had ZERO success here. Bobby April, fail, Jim Washburn fail, Howard Mudd fail, Todd Bowles fail! Combine that with the coaches that never had success like Marty, terrible drafts, and a joke of a G.M. It is a wonder we have won a single game. Yes, it's time for ALL of them to retire
- Its like the coaching equivalent of "The Hangover." — watsonmr
- Mudd retired in 09 for a reason...he was DONE. In 09 he was done, put out to pasture. But Big Red, the smartest kid at the special Olympics, dug him up and paid him big dollars. The iggles are without a doubt the worst team in the NFL and by a fairly big margin too.— warrentheape
- I'll drive him to the airport and pay for the parking— 658012
- I hope he goes on a diet.— Wilhelm Von Humboldt
- Worst team in 15 years?.....try worst team losing streak in 44 years if they lose Sunday night.
All coaches must go and we need a real football guy in GM office.
I really like McGlynn bummer Mudd cut him loose.
Cindy Crosby sucks.— Dr. D.
