According to Michael Lombardi (of 'Doug Pederson is the least qualified head coach in the history of the Universe' fame), two Philadelphia Eagles assistants are among a list of a dozen head coaching candidates recommended by the NFL to all 32 teams. They are defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and quarterback coach John DeFilippo.
Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk translated what Lombardi was trying to say above.
The NFL’s Career Development Advisory Panel has distributed its annual list of recommended candidates for head-coaching vacancies, and this year’s list features a dozen current assistants.
The Career Development Advisory Panel consists of former NFL GMs and coaches who keep an eye on the league and help teams identify strong candidates for career advancement.
Lombardi listed the candidates in his tweets, which we'll do once again here (with an assist from PFT), so you can actually read it:
- John DeFilippo, Eagles quarterbacks coach
- Jim Schwartz, Eagles defensive coordinator
- Matt Nagy, Chiefs offensive coordinator
- Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
- Matt Patricia, Patriots defensive coordinator
- Mike Vrabel, Texans defensive coordinator
- George Edwards, Vikings defensive coordinator
- Dan Campbell, Saints assistant head coach and tight ends coach
- Dave Toub, Chiefs special teams coach
- Steve Wilks, Panthers defensive coordinator
- Jim Bob Cooter, Lions offensive coordinator
- Pat Shurmur, Vikings offensive coordinator
As we noted earlier this month, the Eagles are highly likely to have one or more of their assistants poached, with DeFilippo being the most likely candidate.
The Eagles' objective during the 2016 offseason was clear. They wanted to draft a quarterback and surround him with a quarterback-focused coaching staff. That approach has paid off big-time two straight years both for the Eagles and (to a similar degree) the Los Angeles Rams. Other teams around the league are sure to copy it.
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DeFilippo's work with Carson Wentz and the Raiders' David Carr has been widely recognized. Working against the Eagles' chances of retaining him are three factors:
- His contract is up at the end of this season, so the Eagles can't even block him from offensive coordinator opportunities anymore, like they did a year ago.
- The 2018 NFL Draft class is thought to be very deep and talented at the quarterback position.
- Simultaneously, it is believed by some that there could be seven or more head coach firings during or after the 2017 season. The New Giants have already moved on from their head coach, Ben McAdoo, earlier this season.
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