Reid's agent: Lurie said Andy's coach as long as I'm owner

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Bob LaMonte reiterated a story he's told many times whenever he's been asked about Andy Reid's future with the Eagles.

But it bears repeating as Reid enters his 14th season as Eagles head coach -- all still without a Super Bowl -- and off an 8-8 season that owner Jeffrey Lurie called "unacceptable" in January.

LaMonte, Reid's long-time agent, typically visits all the training camps of his head coaches every year. He was at Lehigh University on Saturday and sat down with several reporters. And the question was asked again: Is Reid on the hot seat?

Lurie "has stated again and again, any time that I've been with him, that was as long as he's the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles Andy Reid would be his coach," LaMonte said. "And I'd say the proof of the pie is in the pudding. He's been here 14 years."

Lurie, it seems, will be the Eagles owner for sometime. He will maintain full authority over the team and a majority ownership after his divorce settlement, an NFL source said, confirming an NFL Network report. The report said that Lurie should own the team for years because of how he has "structured his affairs."

"Bob is a great agent who we have an outstanding relationship with," Lurie said in a statement. "As much respect as all of us have for Andy Reid, it is the nature of the profession that all coaches, executives and players are evaluated each year. That's the way we have always operated. But our focus right now, and I know Andy feels the same way, is solely on the upcoming 2012 season."

Lurie, though, delivered a scathing assessment of Reid's 2011 team in January. And Reid has only two years left on his contract and most surely won't go into the 2013 season as a lame duck and without an extension.

"When someone's been at a place for 14 years that's almost getting to a degree where that's between he and the owner," LaMonte said. "It isn't like they don't know each other. In all honesty, the last time that was simply something that got done … very quickly and very easily."

Reid received a three-year contract extension when he faced a similar scenario in Dec. 2009. He had two years remaining on his contract. Since he signed that deal the Eagles have reached the playoffs twice, but they missed the postseason last season -- only the fourth time in Reid's 13 previous seasons.

"This man has earned the right to decide what he wants to do, and he may well decide he doesn't want to coach and Jeffrey may decide he doesn't want to hire him, but I can just tell you Jeffrey Lurie has told me on any occasion I've ever been with him, as long as he's the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, Andy will be his coach," LaMonte said once again. "Now, if you know something else, tell me, because I should probably know."

LaMonte represents many head coaches, coordinators and executives across the league. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is one of his clients, as is offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. He is a powerful figure in the NFL, sometimes described as Machiavellian, and tends to make provocative statements.

Like this:

"Whenever Andy Reid leaves Philadelphia -- and you can definitely quote me on this," LaMonte said. "When Andy Reid ever leaves Philadelphia and the next person comes here, I want to come have a drink with you guys the following year and have you all tell me, 'Wow, we never realized how good we had it.'"