Eagles hire John DeFilippo as quarterbacks coach
The Eagles hired former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo as quarterbacks coach on Thursday. He joins offensive coordinator Frank Reich to give the Eagles two coaches on the offensive staff who called plays in the NFL last season.
The Eagles hired former Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo as quarterbacks coach Thursday. He joins offensive coordinator Frank Reich to give the Eagles two coaches on the offensive staff who called plays in the NFL last season.
DeFilippo, 37, graduated from Radnor High School when his father, Gene, was the athletic director at Villanova.
He reportedly drew interest from the San Francisco 49ers for their head coaching vacancy and the Los Angeles Rams to be offensive coordinator.
A nine-year NFL coaching veteran, DeFilippo has had three stints as a quarterbacks coach - for the Oakland Raiders from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2014, and for the New York Jets in 2009, when Mark Sanchez was a rookie.
As offensive coordinator for the Browns last season, he led an offense that ranked No. 25 in the NFL and used three starting quarterbacks. But he has had success helping young quarterbacks, including Derek Carr in Oakland in 2014 and Sanchez in 2009.
The move became official one day after the Eagles filled most of their staff. The Eagles now have 16 assistant coaches under Doug Pederson, including seven who remained from Chip Kelly's tenure.
The additions of Reich and DeFilippo likely signal the departure of Pat Shurmur, who spent the last three seasons as offensive coordinator. Shurmur has reportedly drawn interest from the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams for positions on their staffs.
Two are signed
The Eagles signed tight end Chris Pantale and running back Ross Scheuerman to contracts.
Pantale spent most of last season on the practice squad. The Boston College product played five games for the New York Jets in 2014, and also spent time with the Bears.
Scheuerman was a standout at Lafayette, where he rushed for 3,504 yards and 31 touchdowns during his four seasons and was named to the all-Patriot League team. After joining the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason, he signed with the Green Bay Packers' practice squad in December.
Coaches' roles
The Eagles clarified the roles of their defensive backs coaches. Cory Undlin, who remains on the staff from Kelly's tenure, will work with all the defensive backs. Tim Hauck will coach the safeties.
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