See A Coach You Like? Hope He Loses
Monday update on the Eagles' coaching search: have to think Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley look like the top candidates now.
See A Coach You Like? Hope He Loses
Les Bowen
Monday update on the Eagles' coaching search: Have to think Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley look like the top candidates now.
But if you want either of those guys hired anytime soon, you'd better hope the Seahawks lose to the Falcons this coming weekend, or the Broncos are upset by the Ravens. The rules say that while there are interview windows for coaches still involved in the playoffs, "no contract shall be executed, and no agreement to execute a contract, or an announcement of a contract or of an agreement for employment, shall be permitted until after the conclusion of the employer's playing season."
The intent of this rule is to not mess with teams still in the playoffs, which is laudable. However, it creates a frustrating situation. Theoretically, the Eagles could have decided during their Sunday interview they wanted McCoy to be their coach, and he could have decided that was what he wanted. But there is no way for either party to move forward on that. Presumably, the Eagles would have to continue to conduct a sham "search" until the Broncos are done, which very well could be Feb. 4, the day after the Super Bowl. That's nearly a month from now, the Daily News has learned.
Of course, there is Jay Gruden, the Bengals offensive coordinator whose offense looked pretty sad in last weekend's loss to the Texans. Cincinnati still hasn't granted permission for the Eagles to talk to Gruden, as far as we know. But theoretically, he's available. and there's 60-year-old Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, whose team also is out.
It's interesting to note that nobody has waited around until after the Super Bowl to hire a coach since Kansas City waited for the Cardinals to lose so the Chiefs could hire Todd Haley in 2009. (THAT worked out well.)
Hiring a coach in February puts you bebind on many levels. For one thing, the assistant coach market is really picked-over by then. For another, your coaching staff misses Senior Bowl week, the best way to evaluate draft-eligible talent between the end of the college season and the draft. A team with the fourth overall pick, like the Eagles, and of course early picks in subsequent rounds, needs all eyes on the prospects as soon as possible.
You also are behind other teams in evaluating the talent on your roster, in terms of who stays and who goes, and on evaluating the free-agent market.
Can a coach hired in February be successful? Sure. But it isn't the best setup, by a long shot.
Good article. Simple solution to the problem would be to restrict all hiring till some specific number of days after the Super Bowl (interviewing could continue under the current rules)... would seem to be in everyone's interest.— Mr. Magee- Vick is gone no matter who comes in. No way his current contract sticks and he has said he will not renegotiate. So now you know what they will do about Vick.— Dan in Holmesburg
- By following this reasoning, the Eagles should hire their 2nd or 3rd choice for HC to get a jump on hiring assistants and start evaluating talent. Correct?— FCDooner
- " Feb. 4...That's nearly a month from now, the Daily News has learned." This says that the Daily News has just learned that Feb. 4th is nearly a month from now. Good reporting!— Ken Raining
- Whoops, just saw someone else made the same point. — Ken Raining
- HELP WANTED: MAD SCIENTIST
Rare opening available do to implosion of last mad man. Ideal candidate must love to pass the football and put his players in great positions. Must always be striving to do a better job. No real NFL experience necessary, just a through understanding of the fine points of the long snap. A binder for me to keep would be nice. Must believe that defense is boring and running the football is stupid. Must love the passing game more than winning. Must treat my dear little Howie with respect and promise to never say the word Joe Banner. So if you love running QBs like me, send me your resume and a tape of your best gimmick plays.
Sincerely,
Jeff "Gold Standard" Lurie
— Kioto - The Eagles only look like a normal organization because you are used to hearing about them, it's called "normalcy bias." To Chip Kelly, however, they look like the Raiders.— eaglescali
- Number 4 draft pick, a rabid fan base, Home of the Gold Standard and yet no takers - wonder why.— NM Eagle fan
- Kelly played the Eagles and Browns to get some more Nike money from that creep who sells over priced crappy shoes made by the former Viet Cong, stay in Oregon please.— angrywhtguy
- Wink, wink, nod, nod....we have a deal. See you on Feb 5th.
- I'm rooting for baby Gruden. Grudens like to run the football and dont pass until their qb's are dead. If this is the case then he should be a good canidate for the team regardless of who is playing qb. The biggest question is who will be available when the eagles pick 4th in the draft.— Zeru
