Eagles En Route To Arizona To Continue Interviews
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles' front-office brass left for Arizona on Saturday to continue interviews for the team's coaching vacancy.
"The Eagles are committed to finding the right fit for head coach and are heading to Arizona now to kick off a week of interviews with a variety of candidates including Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley," the team said in a statement.
A person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press that Syracuse coach Doug Marrone also will meet with the Eagles. The team wouldn't confirm the interview.
Oregon coach Chip Kelly wasn't listed on the statement released by the Eagles, though reports say he'll meet with them on Saturday afternoon. A person familiar with the negotiations told the AP on Friday that Kelly is nearing a deal with the Cleveland Browns. Kelly also interviewed with the Buffalo Bills on Friday.
Kelly has no reason not to interview with teams interested in him until he finalizes a deal with the Browns. It's likely his agent, David Dunn, would use that as leverage for negotiations.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie, general manager Howie Roseman and president Don Smolenski are conducting the search to replace Andy Reid, who was fired after 14 seasons in Philadelphia.
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.
The interviews with Arians and Bradley will likely take place by Tuesday.
Arians was 9-3 as interim coach in Indianapolis filling in for Chuck Pagano. He previously served as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator from 2007-11. The 60-year-old Arians is quite familiar with Philadelphia, having coached Temple from 1983-88.
Bradley is in his fourth season in Seattle. His defense finished first in the NFL in points allowed (15.3), fourth in yards (306.2) and tied for fourth in takeaways (31).
Marrone is 25-25 in four seasons at Syracuse. He previously served as the offensive coordinator in New Orleans under Sean Payton from 2006-08.
The Eagles' search could last until after the Super Bowl. There are several other coaches on playoff teams that could get interviews with Philadelphia, including Cincinnati's Jay Gruden and Mike Zimmer, Green Bay's Ben McAdoo, Seattle's Darrell Bevell, Washington's Kyle Shanahan and Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison.
Former coaches Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy — all Super Bowl winners — are not on Philadelphia's radar at this time.
The Eagles went to the playoffs nine times in Reid's 14 seasons, but not since 2010. They last won a playoff game in 2008.
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