Chiefs assistants unlikely to follow Pederson
The Eagles appeared to value Doug Pederson's connection to Andy Reid when they picked him to be the next head coach, but it does not sound as if Pederson will bring any of Reid's assistants from Kansas City to Philadelphia.
The Eagles appeared to value Doug Pederson's connection to Andy Reid when they picked him to be the next head coach, but it does not sound as if Pederson will bring any of Reid's assistants from Kansas City to Philadelphia.
That could be a factor at offensive coordinator, where Pederson's background with Brad Childress, the Chiefs' spread game analyst/special projects coach, led to speculation that he could be a possibility. Childress was Pederson's quarterbacks coach in 1999 and is a former Eagles offensive coordinator and Minnesota Vikings head coach.
But Reid told Kansas City-area reporters on Sunday that he does not foresee Pederson taking anyone from the Chiefs staff.
"I don't think so," Reid said. "Starting back with Mike Holmgren, and Mike Holmgren with Bill Walsh, you always kind of check with the head coach on those things. Normally, what you want to do is start and take your own guys and go build a program. That's kind of how you roll.
"It was a little different in my situation coming here because we were all released. If the staff is intact, normally you talk with the head coach, and we'll do all that, but I don't foresee that. I don't foresee a lot of guys leaving to do that."
The Chiefs' season ended Saturday night with a 27-20 loss to the New England Patriots. The Eagles are now free to hire Pederson. They also must quickly fill a coaching staff.
One potential candidate for offensive coordinator would seem to be Pat Shurmur, the Eagles' interim head coach and offensive coordinator. Shurmur knows the roster and has a strong relationship with quarterback Sam Bradford. Shurmur also was on the Eagles' coaching staff when Pederson played for the Eagles. Shurmur has head coaching experience, which could be valuable on the staff of a first-time head coach.
Another candidate reportedly is former Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who is Pederson's first choice, the Daily News reported. Reich, 54, played 14 seasons as a quarterback for four teams.
The Eagles are also high on the coaching future of running backs coach Duce Staley, who interviewed for the head coaching job. Staley was Pederson's teammate with the Eagles in 1999 and was also on Reid's coaching staff with Pederson.
Reid said it's safe to say that Pederson's replacement is already on the Chiefs' staff. Pederson made a similar ascension under Reid.
"He's been with me a long time now," Reid said of Pederson. "So, he's been with me as a player when he was a player. Had an opportunity to coach him there. Then as an assistant coach and then as a head coach, I brought him to Philadelphia and then brought him back as a quality control coach, so a young coach. Just kind of learning the game there from the coaching side, and then watch him grow and develop into what he is now with a potential opportunity to be a head football coach. I mean, how great is that?"