It’s been a slow trickle when it comes to information on the Philadelphia Eagles' new coaching staff.
The only thing confirmed by the Eagles to date is that Vic Fangio will be the defensive coordinator. Multiple NFL sources have also confirmed Kellen Moore will be the one with the “fresh ideas” for the offense, and highly-regarded offensive line coach/run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland will remain on the offensive staff.
Former Seattle DC Cliff Hurtt will be Fangio’s new defensive line coach, while Karl Scott was also believed to be on his way from the Seahawks to have some kind of role with the secondary. Scott did a 180 however when Seattle hired former Baltimore DC Mike Macdonald to be its new coach and will stay with the Seahawks.
The latest news on the secondary is that Fangio and the Eagles are going to bring back Joe Kasper to be the safeties coach, the same role he had in Miami under Fangio during the 2023 season.
Before heading south with Fangio last season, Kasper was a defensive quality control coach with the Eagles under Nick Sirianni and Jonathan Gannon in 2021-22 so it’s a nice bridge of a young coach who should have some loyalty to Sirianni coming back in a time of upheaval.
It also is a clue that Fangio wants a similar setup on his defensive staff as he had with the Dolphins. With Miami, Fangio had a passing game coordinator/secondary coach (Renaldo Hill), a cornerbacks coach/passing game specialist (Sam Madison), and a safeties coach (Kasper).
There was early talk that Hill might also come with Fangio but an NFL source indicated that the passing game coordinator/secondary coach job was the one earmarked for Scott. That could put Hill or veteran coach and long-time Fangio consigliere Ed Donatell in the conversation for secondary roles. Ed’s son Steve Donatell, a defensive assistant with the Dolphins last season, is also a name to watch.
At linebacker, former DCs Joe Barry and Mike Caldwell interviewed for the job and are likely waiting until all the coordinating options are exhausted before committing.
Out are defensive line coach Tracy Rocker, who loses his position with Hurtt’s presence, as well as senior defensive assistant and play-caller Matt Patricia. It’s also likely LB coach D.J. Eliot is a one-and-done guy unless multiple options turn down Fangio.
The 2023 secondary coaches – D.K. McDonald and his assistant Taver Johnson and nickels coach Ronell Williams – are also trending negatively while quality coach Mike DiAngelo’s status is to be determined.
On offense, things are going slower but most around the NFL believe the quarterback coach role will ultimately go to Doug Nussmeier, who was with Moore in that role with both Dallas and the LA Chargers.
Sirianni also spoke like his associate head coach/passing game coordinator Kevin Patullo was safe at his season-ending press conference.
Meanwhile, receivers coach Aaron Moorehead could return, something DeVonta Smith indicated in an interview earlier this week with Kay Adams and it’s natural to expect Roy Istvan to return as Stoutland’s assistant.
Those expected as out so far are senior offensive assistant Marcus Brady, and quarterbacks coach Alex Tanney, who was permitted to shop around.
In limbo for now are assistant head coach/running backs Jemal Singleton, and tight ends coach Jason Michael, although the assumption is Sirianni would want both back, as well as run game specialist/assistant TE coach T.J. Paganetti and quality control coach Eric Dickerson.
The special teams triumvirate of coordinator Michael Clay and his assistants, Joe Pannunzio and Tyler Brown, should be safe after an excellent season in the third phase for Philadelphia.
More must-reads: