Eagles hire Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni as head coach

The Eagles found their new head coach. On Thursday, the Birds agreed to hire Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. 

Sirianni is a logical candidate for the Eagles, who are looking to get Carson Wentz get back on track. He spent three seasons as a Chiefs assistant, five seasons with the Chargers and the past three with the Colts. After working with Philip Rivers in 2020, the 39-year-old will try to work his magic with Wentz and understudy Jalen Hurts.

Under Sirianni’s watch, Rivers completed 68% of his throws for 4,169 yards with 24 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. The Colts went on to make the playoffs, though they fell to the Bills in the wild-card round.

Sirianni isn’t just a quarterback specialist — he’s coached multiple positions with a proven track record of cultivating young talent. Wide receivers Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams and Zach Pascal all excelled under his watch. Sirianni also figures to hit it off with Wentz, since his ex-boss Frank Reich got the best out of the QB when he was in Philly.

Sirianni beat out a number of well-established candidates and rumored named for the job, as shown in PFR’s 2021 Head Coaching Search Tracker:

• Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator
• Todd Bowles, Buccaneers defensive coordinator
• Joe Brady, Panthers offensive coordinator
• Mike Kafka, Chiefs quarterbacks coach
• Jerod Mayo, Patriots inside linebackers coach
• Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
• Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma head coach
• Robert Saleh, 49ers defensive coordinator
• Arthur Smith, Titans offensive coordinator
• Brandon Staley, Rams defensive coordinator
• Duce Staley, Eagles running backs coach

McDaniels, who famously spurned the Colts a few years ago, was believed to be the other finalist.