January 07, 2016
Bill Kostroun/AP
New York Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo confers with quarterbacks Eli Manning, left, and Ryan Nassib, right.
Even as I write this, there are likely new rumors, reports and speculation about who the Philadelphia Eagles will hire to replace Chip Kelly, who was let go last week prior to the conclusion of his third season, as their next head coach.
That's just the reality of life when your football team is without a coach.
The fans want to know -- and, of course, offer their opinion. The media want to be the first to tell you who the next coach will be -- even if the organization hasn't even finished interviewing potential candidates. There's often misinformation everywhere -- don't forget agents are involved.
And the result can be, well, maddening.
How about we just let the Eagles hire a coach and then react? Otherwise, it’s just noise that consumes and deafens us all at the same time.
— Matt Mullin (@matt_mullin) January 7, 2016
The only thing we know for sure is that the Eagles have interviewed three candidates -- Pat Shurmur, Duce Staley and Adam Gase. That's all the team has confirmed to this point. [You can now make it four, as the team confirmed Thursday evening that they interviewed Giants OC Ben McAdoo.]
The rest is just speculation, at least when it comes to who will ultimately emerge as the Eagles next head coach. Between now and when that day finally arrives, you are free to believe whatever coaching rumors you like, just don't be disappointed if they all don't pan out. After all, only one guy is actually going to get the job.
Below, you'll find eight candidates that have been linked to the Eagles -- none of which are from the college ranks and all but one (Staley) is a current NFL coordinator. Is the team's next head coach among them?
Here's the latest...
INTERVIEW?: Yes. Eagles confirmed he met with team on Tuesday.
THE LATEST: Tuesday's report that Gase was scheduled to meet with the Eagles this weekend for a second interview may have been a little premature.
Sounds like Adam Gase impressed in Philly. I'm told the #Eagles plan to bring him back for a second interview this weekend.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2016
According to Ruben Frank of CSN Philly, Gase has not scheduled another interview with the Eagles ... yet.
But the source said no second interview has been planned yet with any candidate.
He said this doesn’t mean the Eagles weren’t impressed with Gase or they don’t consider him a good candidate.
It just means they are planning to go through the process and interview several candidates once before regrouping – probably at the end of next week – and determining who to place on a short list of candidates for second interviews. [csnphilly.com]
Our own Jimmy Kempski took a look at whether or not Gase could help the Eagles young wide receivers improve, in addition to Sam Bradford or whomever is under center for the team next season.
But the Eagles are far from alone in their interest in the 37-year-old coordinator:
I'm told the #Dolphins are making a strong, potentially persuasive push for #Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) January 7, 2016
INTERVIEW?: Reportedly met with the Eagles on Thursday.
Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo will interview with the Eagles tomorrow. Met with the Giants yesterday. Of course, they know him.
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) January 6, 2016
THE LATEST: The Giants may not want to let McAdoo go. According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, if the Giants want to hire a coordinator, "it would be difficult to see them going with someone other than McAdoo."
And there's the Andy Reid comparison:
He has been likened to a young Andy Reid. Both spent five years coaching tight ends for the Packers before switching to work with quarterbacks. Both are relatively low-profile and outwardly reserved. Reid was 40 when he was hired in 1999 as head coach of the Eagles. McAdoo is 38.
“Some guys it’s too big for them,’’ said a source with ties to McAdoo. “It’s never in any step of the way been too big for him. He’s come up almost the exact Andy Reid clone image. He is gonna become, and everyone knows it, a head coach. Is he a year early? Well, maybe. But if you don’t get him, he’s gonna be one next year, I promise you.’’
If Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie feels the McAdoo/Reid connection, he could make a strong push for raiding the Giants for McAdoo’s services, as Lurie gave Reid his big shot in 1999. The Giants would like to keep McAdoo in some capacity. [nypost.com]
That's...interesting.
INTERVIEW?: Reportedly scheduled for Sunday
THE LATEST: According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports the Eagles will interview Pederson on Sunday. Pederson, who served primarily as a backup QB for nearly a decade, including one season with the Eagles (1999) -- was an assistant in Philly from 2009-12, during the end of the Andy Reid era.
Chiefs OC Doug Pederson will interview with the Eagles Sunday win or lose this weekend
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 7, 2016
INTERVIEW?: Eagles have reportedly requested an interview.
.@NFLonFOX has learned @Eagles plan 2 make official HC int request 4 @TBBuccaneers OC Dirk Koetter. @MiamiDolphins & @49ers already have
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) January 7, 2016
THE LATEST: Koetter might not even make it out of Tampa, as the team is reportedly very high on the coordinator and may not even give the Eagles a chance to interview him. Here's more from Conor Orr of NFL.com:
Bucs general manager Jason Licht confirmed Thursday during a press conference that Koetter would be a candidate, also emphasizing that his relationship with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston was "an important bond."
"He'll be a very strong candidate," Licht said. "He's got a strong resume. I've had a chance to work with him day to day for the last year, and I like Dirk. He's gonna be a strong candidate." [nfl.com]
INTERVIEW?: Eagles have reportedly requested an interview.
#Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther will interview with #Browns on Sunday after the game, source said. #Eagles also requested him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2016
THE LATEST: While the Eagles have inquired about the Bengals defensive coordinator, it's been their offensive coordinator -- Hugh Jackman Hue Jackson -- that has drawn more interest from fans. And according to Jeff McLane of The Inquirer, they haven't even reached out to him yet.
#Eagles have requested to interview #Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, per @RapSheet. Still haven't for Bengals OC Hue Jackson.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) January 7, 2016
FOX Sports has learned that Chicago offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and New York Giants offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo are among the candidates the Eagles will consider pursuing as replacements for the fired Chip Kelly. [foxsports.com]
INTERVIEW?: Yes, confirmed by Eagles.
THE LATEST: Something about the devil you know...
INTERVIEW?: Yes, confirmed by Eagles
THE LATEST: I hope this wasn't just a Rooney Rule interview...
