As the Philadelphia Eagles continue their quest for head coaching, we will deal with each legitimate candidate individually, while this page can also serve as a centralized tracker.
It should be noted that the Eagles will likely interview a lot of candidates as they will be conducted in part through Zoom meetings and can be performed without having to travel. In other words, the expectation here is that this tracker will be filled with many names and there will be many updates. Bookmark, please.
Most recent updates at the top of this list:
Jerod Mayo, the Patriots linebackers coach
As a coach, Mayo has only two years of experience. His official title was “inside linebackers coach,” which doesn’t sound like much, but his role was bigger than that title would indicate. The patriots do not have an official “defensive coordinator” on their staff. Mayo and coach Steve Belichick from outside the linebackers served as some of the top two defensive assistants under Bill Belichick. It should also be noted that Brian Flores was “merely” the Patriots’ linebackers coach when the Miami Dolphins hired him as their head coach in 2019.
Mayo was considered a fierce leader and highly intelligent player on the field in his playing days, and at just 34 years old, he is clearly seen as a young climber as an NFL coach. Still, it’s probably too early for Mayo to make a huge leap to head coach at such a young age and with only two years of coaching experience.
More about Mayo here.
Mike Kafka, Chiefs QB coach
The Eagles reportedly have an interest in Kafka. We will cover him in more depth if / when a report comes out that the Eagles plan to interview him.
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers DC
Bowles was with the Eagles for one season and even served as their defensive coordinator to end the disastrous 2012 season after the team sacked Juan Castillo.
More specifically, Bowles was given head coaching with the Jets, which lasted four years and did not go well. The Jets even went 10-6 under Bowles in 2015 with Fitzpatrick as quarterback in his first season there. However, he eventually amassed a record of 24-40 with the Jets, winning just 14 games in the past three years. Frankly, his quarterbacks, alongside Fitzpatrick, Josh McCown, Bryce Petty, and rookie year Sam Darnold, were next to poor roster.
As a defensive coordinator, Bowles has achieved good results. In 2020, the Buccaneers had the best defense in the NFL. They were No. 1 in countering haste, rush yards, rush TDs, and yards per rush. In that sense, his “stop the run first” style of defense is similar to the approach we’ve seen from Jim Schwartz over the years.
More about Bowles here.
-
![Limited - The Lines - Call Out]()
- Visit TheLines.com, PhillyVoice’s Official Betting Partner for 2020/2021, for the latest upcoming NFL rules and odds.
Robert Saleh, 49ers DC
Saleh would probably already be head coach if not for a coaching quest a year ago that thwarted him. He was a hot name, but because the 49ers were going to the Super Bowl and because there were only three head coach openings, he had to wait a year.
The Niners’ defense was excellent in 2019, and Saleh kept that unit at a high level (sixth in DVOA) in 2020, despite an abnormal number of injuries on all three levels of defense. Saleh is known for his demonstrative emotion on the sidelines during games, something his players seem to respond to.
When Saleh gets a job as a head coach, he is believed to be bringing Niners’ offensive aides, who will install a version of Kyle Shanahan’s critically acclaimed crime.
More about Saleh here.
Arthur Smith, Titans OC
Smith has been with the Titans since 2011 and survived three head coach layoffs. He has been their offensive coordinator since 2019. With Mike Vrabel, a defensive head coach, Smith had the opportunity to keep the show offensive for Tennessee, and in the two years he was their offensive coordinator, the Titans have grown well. Results. In 2020, they were second in the NFL in points and fourth in yards.
Of course, Derrick Henry gets the lion’s share of the credit for directing the Titans’ offense (and rightly so), but Smith’s offense has also helped make Ryan Tannehill a legitimate starting NFL quarterback.
More about Smith here.
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma HC
Riley is arguably the top college ranks coach candidate as he has set a record of 45-8 in Oklahoma, while developing a pair of No. 1 overall quarterbacks and Heisman winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Riley also coached Jalen Hurts for a year, and Hurts finished second in the Heisman voting that season.
Riley is seen as an innovative offensive mind, in the passing game, of course, but also in the run game, whose plans have been stolen by many NFL fouls. Do Riley’s transgressions work because of his plan, or because he has been able to develop the talents of his quarterbacks? Regardless, he’s a winner in that debate.
More about Riley here.
Updating: Paul Domowitch of the Inquirer reports that Riley “seems content to stay where he is now”.
Duce Staley, Eagles Assistant HC, RB Coach
Jeffrey Lurie said at his press conference on Monday that Staley would be given a chance.
“I expect Duce Staley to be a candidate,” Lurie said. “He is a great representative of the Eagles and knows our values. I would expect him to be part of the quest too.”
Unlike the other candidates on this list, Staley does not have a coordinator or head coach experience, but he has the mental makeup and leadership skills to oversee a selection. Should Staley become the head coach, the Eagles would likely want to pair him with an offensive coordinator.
This content and the links provided are sponsored by thelines.com and playpennsylvania.com, PhillyVoice.com’s Official 2020/2021 Betting Odds Partner, independently created by PhillyVoice.