Doug Pederson is expected to be hired by the Philadelphia Eagles as their next head coach, according to reports.
Pederson is the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are getting set to face the New England Patriots in the playoffs on Saturday. Pederson is expected to join the Eagles after Kansas City’s season ends.
The Philadelphia News’ Les Bowen first reported the news:
Doug Pederson will be the #Eagles coach, league source confirms.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 14, 2016
The Eagles also told Bowen that they have concluded their head coaching interviews, which implies they have found their man.
Quote from #Eagles, who do not confirm Pederson: "We have concluded our search for a head coach. No further interviews are scheduled."
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 14, 2016
Reports also say the Eagles hired Ken Flajole, who was a linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns. It is currently unknown what role he’ll have in Philly.
Pederson, 47, has had a quick rise through the coaching ranks. He was a quarterback in the NFL from 1993-2004, serving as a backup to Brett Favre over two separate stints with the Packers. He also played for the Dolphins, Browns and Eagles. After his playing career ended, Pederson became a high school coach in Louisiana and enjoyed immediate success, leading his program to the state playoffs in four straight seasons. The Eagles then gave him his first coaching job in the NFL when they made him an offensive assistant in 2009. He was with the franchise until the Chiefs hired him in 2013 to be their offensive coordinator, a post he has served for three seasons.
The Eagles have clearly supported and helped launch Pederson’s NFL career, so it’s no surprise that as big believers in him, they are giving him his first NFL head coaching job. The Eagles were also interested in Tom Coughlin, but they turned to Peterson after the former Giants coach withdrew his name from consideration.
