One of the team’s top targets after parting ways with Reid was Oregon’s Chip Kelly. The Ducks head coach seriously considered making the jump to the NFL and appeared to be on the verge of being hired by the Cleveland Browns or possibly even the Eagles, but Kelly ultimately decided that it wasn’t the right time and chose to stay in Oregon.
With Kelly off the table, the search continues for the Eagles as their ideal candidate to take over for Reid is no longer an option moving forward.
Fortunately for Philadelphia, a new big-name has surfaced with considerable interest in becoming the Eagles new head coach according to NBC Sports Anchor John Clark via Twitter:
Ron Jaworski on 975 Fanatic says he talked with Jon Gruden. Eagles havent reached out to Gruden, and says Jon would be interested
— John Clark NBC10 (@johnclarknbc10) January 7, 2013
If Jon Gruden is truly interested in the coaching vacancy in Philadelphia, the Eagles’ front office may have found the perfect replacement for Reid. Gruden has been content with his job as an NFL analyst for ESPN over the past few years with little interest in returning the NFL or NCAA sidelines, but now appears to be softening on his stance by flirting with the idea of a return to coaching.
It was rumored recently that Gruden had been talking with the Oakland Raiders about returning as the head coach, but nothing seems to have come to fruition with the team apparently sticking with Dennis Allen.
Other potential candidates that have sparked the interest of the Eagles’ front office are offensive coordinators Bruce Arians (Indianapolis Colts), Mike McCoy (Denver Broncos) and Jay Gruden (Cincinnati Bengals).
The team has also let it be known there’s no interest in hiring Bill Cowher formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
