NFL

The latest Eagles’ coaching buzz: Sean Payton staying with Saints

The latest Eagles’ coaching buzz: Sean Payton staying with Saints
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It’s been over a week now since the Eagles, as they have done for three seasons now, shocked the NFL by firing Chip Kelly.

Since then, the entire landscape of the NFL — with regards to its head coaching vacancies — has shifted mightily. Here are some of the names that have been mentioned in recent days as possible candidates to take over in Philadelphia.

Adam Gase (Bears offensive coordinator):The Eagles confirmed having met with Adam Gase Tuesday sending a press release to the media after his departure from Philly. The third coaching prospect to be interviewed, Ian Rappaport from NFL Network says the team was impressed by Gase and has already scheduled a second interview. With the Bears, he helped Jay Cutler post his best season on record with a 92.3 QB rating.

Ben McAdoo (Giants offensive coordinator): According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, the mastermind behind Eli Manning’s continued success will meet with the Eagles Thursday to inveview for the head coaching gig.

Pat Shurmur (Eagles offensive coordinator): According to USA Today, the longtime Philly assistant, onetime Browns head coach and last week’s interim head coach interviewed with the Eagles Monday. No word on his status since the meeting earlier this week.

Sean Payton (Saints head coach): With two years left on his contract in New Orleans, and still in possession of his favorite asset, quarterback Drew Brees, it was announced Wednesday that the Super Bowl winning head coach was not leaving this offseason.

“This is where I plan on coaching. I don’t envision myself coaching any other club,” Payton said during a Wednesday press conference. “Here I am and nothing is changing and I plan on finishing my career here. … I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me.”

Tom Coughlin (Giants former head coach): All across talk radio in the Delaware Valley, pundits and football fans were tossing around the 69-year-old’s name. Would he be a good fit in Philly? Is he even a viable candidate?

In a farewell press conference to the Giants, filled with emotion and reflection, the two-time Super Bowl champion did not rule out returning to a different team.

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Duce Staley (Eagles running backs coach): The former Eagles running back and fan-favorite was reportedly the first candidate to interview for the position. Unknown if he will be in the running to actually get the job, he does provide adherence to the ‘Rooney Rule’ for Jeffrey Lurie as a minority candidate.

Doug Marrone (Jaguars offensive line coach): Marrone was the Bills head coach fairly recently, but according to CSNPhilly.com, he is not a candidate for the Eagles job.

Teryl Austin (Lions defensive coordinator): Austin is expected to have met with the Eagles sometime Tuesday. He has also served for three years as Ravens secondary coach under John Harbaugh.

Dirk Koetter (Buccaneers offensive coordinator): Koetter helped to usher Jameis Winston into the pro ranks, and a few seasons prior was a large part in the NFL development of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. He is reportedly in the books for an interview.

Sean McDermott (Panthers defensive coordinator): The leader of the Panthers’ defense — regularly one of the best in the league — has other things to worry about right now. Like leading his top-seeded Carolina squad to a Super Bowl. But many Eagles fans want the familiar face to return to Philly, the place where he coached local legends like Brian Dawkins as a positional coach (and later defensive coordinator) under Andy Reid.

The feeling is mutual.

“I mean, listen, we love it here. Living in Carolina has been great. We’ve been here five years,” McDermott said on 97.5 The Fanatic Tuesday. “But, yeah, we’re always interested. I love the Philadelphia area and quite honestly, it’s been tough to watch the last several years, having grown up in the area and worked there for 12 years. The fan base, I know what’s important to them. They’re genuine, dedicated and they’re real. And the facilities up there are second to none. So I’d love to see the Eagles recapture the magic, so to speak.”