Ranking the Eagles coaching candidates who have interviewed to replace Doug Pederson. It's a long list

Martin Frank
Delaware News Journal

The Eagles have interviewed 10 candidates for their head coaching job in a span of 10 days after firing Doug Pederson.

That is an unusually high number, and it could indicate that many candidates are not inspired enough by the job. After all, the new coach will likely have to accept general manager Howie Roseman having final say over personnel decisions, and/or accepting Carson Wentz as the starting quarterback in 2021.

It's also possible that the Eagles are casting a wide net after getting a late start on the hiring process, firing Pederson on Jan. 11, at least one week after the other six NFL openings had been created.

WHO CAN FIX WENTZ? Is Josh McDaniels becoming the favorite for Eagles' head coaching job because of how he answers the Carson Wentz question?

WHAT'S THE PLAN? Do the Eagles have a plan as head coaching search continues and other teams start making hires?

Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, for example, decided to stay in his current role after the Eagles requested permission to interview him. 

In addition, two of the Eagles' candidates accepted head coaching jobs elsewhere in Robert Saleh (Jets) and Arthur Smith (Falcons). A third, Brandon Staley, accepted the Chargers' offer before getting on a plane to meet with the Eagles. 

It's possible that the Eagles will interview other candidates, possibly Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whose team is playing for the AFC Championship this Sunday, in addition to a few college coaches.

And Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said it could be a long process that lasts beyond the Super Bowl on Feb. 7.

Here, then, is a ranking of the candidates that the Eagles have interviewed who have not taken head coaching jobs elsewhere. It should be noted that if the Eagles do get an interview with Bieniemy, he would be No. 1:

New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen gives directions during training camp at their NFL football training facility in Metairie, La. Monday, Aug. 17, 2020. (David Grunfeld/The Advocate via AP, Pool)

8. Dennis Allen, Saints defensive coordinator

Allen, who interviewed Wednesday, has impressive enough credentials as the Saints led the NFL in total defense for most of the season. He also has head coaching experience with 2-plus seasons with the Raiders from 2012-14. His Raiders teams went 8-28, however, and Nick Foles (remember him?) tied an NFL record with 7 touchdown passes in an Eagles' win over the Raiders in 2013.

It would be hard to see Allen getting another head coaching chance here.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, right, instructs defensive lineman Chase Winovich, center, as inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, second from left, instructs defensive end John Simon, left, on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

7. Jerod Mayo, Patriots linebackers coach

Jerod Mayo is a former player who only just completed his second season transitioning to an assistant job in the NFL. He spent his entire playing career as a linebacker with the Patriots.

That should make Mayo an intriguing defensive coordinator candidate, but not so much as a head coach, in part because the Eagles don't value the linebacker position. He would also show he can put together a strong offensive coaching staff.

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore talks to quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

6. Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator

There's no doubting Moore's success since becoming the Cowboys' offensive coordinator in 2019. But Moore is just 32 years old, and just completed only his third season as a coach.

Still, as a former NFL quarterback – albeit a third-string QB – he has credentials to work with Wentz or Jalen Hurts. But it's hard to see Moore attracting a top notch defensive staff to convince the Eagles to take the leap.

New Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles smiles as he answers a question during a news conference Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. Bowles was formerly head coach of the New York Jets. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

5. Todd Bowles, Bucs defensive coordinator

As a defensive coordinator, there are few better than Bowles. In two seasons with Tampa Bay, he improved the Bucs from 27th the season before he arrived to 15th in 2019 to 6th this season.

But Bowles was a head coach for four seasons with the Jets from 2015-18. In Bowles' first season, the Jets ranked 11th on went 10-6. Bowles couldn't sustain that. The Jets went 14-34 in his last three seasons and never ranked higher than 23rd on offense.

Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)

4. Joe Brady, Panthers offensive coordinator

Is Brady, who's just 31 years old, worth taking the chance for? Possibly, even though he only has one season as an NFL offensive coordinator under his belt.

Still, the Panthers weren't awful considering that Christian McCaffrey missed most of the season with injuries, and Teddy Bridgewater had an up and down season at quarterback. The year before, Brady was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator at LSU. The Tigers won the national championship with Joe Burrow at quarterback and Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase at wide receivers.

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

3. Nick Sirianni, Colts offensive coordinator

Sirianni has great credentials working with a quarterback similar to Wentz in Philip Rivers. He did it with the Chargers as the QB coach from 2014-15 and then this season with the Colts. Plus, Sirianni was the offensive coordinator in Indianapolis with Andrew Luck in 2018 and Jacoby Brissett in 2019.

As a Frank Reich protege, that could help Sirianni with his ability to fix Wentz.

Duce Staley, now the Eagles' running backs coach, surpassed 1,000 yards rushing three times in seven seasons from 1997-2003.

2. Duce Staley, Eagles running backs coach

Staley is easily the choice among Eagles players, and he has definitely paid his dues. He has been on staff since 2011, surviving three head coaches so far. But Staley has never been an offensive coordinator, so he would have to convince the Eagles that he can bring in a strong staff both on offense and defense.

Then again, Lurie said leadership is a main characteristic that he's looking for, and Staley has that.

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, celebrates a touchdown catch by quarterback Cam Newton, right, in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

1. Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator

If the Eagles are looking for a coach to revitalize Wentz, then McDaniels could be the ideal candidate. For one, he has been the offensive coordinator with Tom Brady for 12 seasons, winning three Super Bowls during that time period.

Secondly, McDaniels is known for a tough-love approach, something that Wentz needs.

Then again, Wentz might not take well to that kind of coaching, and McDaniels failed as a head coach with the Broncos from 2009-10. He also spurned the Colts three years ago after initially accepting their offer. 

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.