Eagles Wake-Up Call: Reid Touts Castillo As Head Coach

From offensive line coach to defensive coordinator…to head coach?

Andy Reid believes it’s a possibility.

Juan Castillo‘s name has been linked to the head coaching job at University of Texas El Paso. Mike Price has announced his retirement from the post, and Castillo reportedly wants to throw his hat into the ring.

Reid indicated that UTEP was interested in Castillo the last time they were searching for a front man back in 2003, and believes it would be an ideal fit.

“He would do a great job. He would be the mayor of El Paso,” said Reid.

“He would do a phenomenal job. I was hoping for him because I think he’d be a good head coach. He had a chance at that the last time. He and I actually went down and worked out a couple players there once, so he knows the area. He’d be great.”

Castillo grew up in Texas, attended Texas A&I and coached at Texas A&M — Kingsville before joining the Eagles. Reid served as an offensive line coach at UTEP from 1987-88.

Reid called the of firing Castillo back in mid-October one of the most difficult things he has had to do as a coach. It is also proving to be the wrong move, as the defense has regressed since Todd Bowles has taken the reins. A unit that was tops in the NFL in opponent completion percentage (53 percent) under Castillo has seen quarterbacks’ efficiency shoot up to 78  percent in four games under Bowles. They have yielded 11 touchdowns and have not intercepted a pass in that time.

Castillo is looking better by the second, and he is calling in the big guns to make sure he lands on his feet. According to Sal Paolantonio, Castillo recently hired super-agent Bob LaMonte to represent him. There are sure to be plenty of vacancies on both the collegiate and professional level. With Reid and LaMonte in his corner, chances are he will find a home.

WHAT YOU MISSED

Michael Vick is coming along in his recovery from a concussion. The Eagles face an interesting decision ahead.

Nnamdi Asomugha took on questions about unmet expectations and his desire to play in Philly.

In the latest edition of Coaching Buzz, Sheil zeroes in on Chip Kelly, David Shaw and Bill O’Brien.

Reid will get another reminder Monday of just how good his original coaching staff was.

The Eagles tweaked their receiving corps on Friday.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

In case you missed it, Panthers receiver Steve Smith came up with a name for Monday’s game. From the Charlotte Observer:

 “Oh, it’s real exciting,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’ve got the battle of the bads, I guess.

They’ve got a lot of things going on, just as we do. But all that goes out of the window. You get to be on center stage in front of friends, families. It’s always exciting to be the only show playing.”

The atmosphere at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on a Monday night: “Obviously, you want to be at home. But a place like that, hopefully we’ll get things going pretty good so they’ll have that jail filled up in the bottom (of the stadium).”

Eight of the 12 NFL experts at ESPN are picking the Panthers over the Eagles. Ashley Fox is going with Carolina.

What a nightmare for the Eagles. Six straight losses and a game on “Monday Night Football.” Disaster. Panthers 20, Eagles 12.

COMING UP

Practice at 11:45. Reid will address the media afterwards. Head trainer Rick Burkholder is also expected to update the media on the health of Vick and LeSean McCoy.