Eagles To Interview Mike McCoy In Denver
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Eagles took their coaching search to Denver to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy on Sunday after a lengthy meeting with Oregon coach Chip Kelly a night earlier in Arizona.
The Eagles only confirmed their meeting with Kelly after it ended. A person familiar with the situation said Kelly was nearing a deal with the Cleveland Browns on Friday before he went ahead with his scheduled meeting with the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. Kelly's interview with the Eagles lasted several hours, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the information was not authorized for release.
Kelly also met with Buffalo after his first meeting with Cleveland. It appears his choice is down to the Eagles or returning to Oregon. Kelly nearly accepted a job with Tampa Bay last year before staying put.
The pursuit of Kelly has a soap-opera element because Browns CEO Joe Banner spent the previous 19 seasons in Philadelphia, serving the last 12 as president. Banner and Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie are longtime friends since childhood. But Banner was forced out of the organization in a power struggle with general manager Howie Roseman and former coach Andy Reid.
Banner had a knack for rubbing people the wrong away in Philadelphia, and wasn't popular in the locker room because of the way he handled contract negotiations. His reputation could be a factor in Kelly's decision.
Meanwhile, the Eagles aren't waiting around.
Lurie, Roseman and team president Don Smolenski left for Denver on Sunday to continue the search to replace Reid, who was fired after 14 seasons.
The 40-year-old McCoy engineered an offense around quarterback Peyton Manning this season. Denver went 13-3, secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and has a bye this weekend. The Broncos ranked fourth in the league in total offense and second in scoring.
McCoy has been successful working with quarterbacks far less talented than Manning. Jake Delhomme went to the Pro Bowl in 2005 when McCoy was Carolina's quarterbacks coach. Kyle Orton had his two best seasons in Denver in 2009-10 under McCoy's tutelage. In 2011, McCoy devised an offensive system around Tim Tebow's skills and the Broncos won a playoff game.
Philadelphia also plans to interview Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.
The Eagles requested permission to interview Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, but the team said the Bengals have yet to grant permission.
The Eagles interviewed Penn State's Bill O'Brien on Thursday and met with Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong on Wednesday. O'Brien is remaining at Penn State.
Syracuse's Doug Marrone was on Philadelphia's list, but he set to take over at Buffalo for Chan Gailey.
- By ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football Writer
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
