Eagles will interview Tom Coughlin

Following the San Francisco 49ers’ hiring of Chip Kelly, the Philadelphia Eagles opted for Doug Pederson and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers promoted Dirk Koetter. Because of the odd yet informative news, reports have surfaced that the Eagles have tabbed Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Doug Pederson as their man. He’s ready to do that, and if he has the opportunity, more power to him. Since then the Chiefs have been to the playoffs two out of three seasons while the Eagles only managed to get into the post season the first year Kelly was brought in. Kansas City plays at New England in the divisional playoffs Saturday.

Only three other known candidates interviewed for the Eagles’ position: running backs coach Duce Staley, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Pederson.

This whole search has looked like something out of the Keystone Kops, with the nadir being former Giants’ head coach Tom Coughlin withdrawing his name from consideration. But as Bowen noted, Flajole actually has a history with Pederson as well, having worked with the Chiefs OC when both men were in Green Bay.

For a team loaded with backfield talent in Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles, the Eagles had to be encouraged by Kansas City’s rushing attack-especially after the Chiefs’ platoon continued producing after Jamaal Charles went down with a season-ending knee injury.

When discussing what he wanted from a new head coach, team owner Jeffrey Lurie emphasized an ability to relate to players.

An aside here Reid has now coached 17 years without a National Football League title, quickly approaching Jeff Fisher (21), Marty Schottenheimer (21), Chuck Knox (22) and Dan Reeves (23) for longevity without a championship. In relief, Pederson helped the Miami Dolphins capture Don Shula’s record 325th coaching win in 1993.

Pederson went 2-7 in nine starts in 1999 and was 3-14 in 17 career starts.

After his playing career, Pederson coached at Calvary Baptist Academy in Shreveport, La., from 2005 to 2008. Yet, it remains to be see which members of Reid staff’s will follow Pederson to Philadelphia, or who will replace him as offensive coordinator.

For his part, the 47-year-old Pederson said Wednesday his interview with the Eagles proceeded well. Many wrote the Chiefs off at that point, but Pederson showed just what he could do with the variety of pieces that they have on offense. I don’t exactly know. He joined the Eagles in 1999, serving as a temporary starter ahead of rookie Donovan McNabb.

So either the Eagles have violated the rule by agreeing to strike an agreement with Pederson, or the Eagles simply assume that Pederson will eventually agree to terms.

“I think he understands the personalities around a locker room”.