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
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.
"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
- 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
- Maybe McNabb can get a job on the new staff. Don and Deuce can reunite on the sidelines.— gho_matt
- 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
- Jon Gruden (HC) and then pull Monte Kiffin (DC) away from his son at USC.— ReallyReallyReally?
- 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
- 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
- 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
- I don't understand why so many are sold on Jon Gruden. He won with a team that Tony Dungy put together.— MrJayScott
- 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 - 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
- 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
