Source: Eagles To Hire Pederson As Next Coach

Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Doug Pederson will be the next Eagles head coach, a league source confirms to Birds 24/7’s Tim McManus. The Philadelphia Daily News’ Les Bowen first tweeted the news.

“We have concluded our search for a head coach,” an Eagles spokesman said. “No further interviews are scheduled.”

The news comes less than 24 hours after the Eagles missed out on new Giants head coach Ben McAdoo, and former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin. Philadelphia was down to just three candidates — Pederson, Eagles Interim Head Coach Pat Shurmur and Eagles Running Backs Coach Duce Staley — with whom they confirmed interviews.

Pederson has been the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator since Kansas City hired Andy Reid in 2013. Previously, Pederson was the Eagles Quarterbacks Coach (2011-12) and Offensive Quality Control Coach (2009-10) under Reid.

“I think it’s great, man, I think it’s great he has an opportunity,” Reid said about Pederson’s prospects as a head coach in a press conference on Sunday. “Compliment to the hard work he’s put in, and he’s done a nice job. He’s ready to do that, and I think if he has that opportunity, more power to him.”

The 47-year-old has no other college or professional coaching experience, but he was an NFL quarterback for 12 seasons, including in Philadelphia in 1999. Pederson also had two four-year stints in Green Bay, including 1995-1998, overlapping with Reid’s two seasons as the Packers Quarterbacks Coach (1997-1998).

“He’s a great mentor of mine, obviously,” Pederson told the Philadelphia Inquirer of Reid before he was hired. “I worked for him there in Philadelphia so I understand that market, that climate, and that structure there.”

Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks also reported that the “Eagles have interest in Jim Schwartz as defensive coordinator.” Schwartz was the Lions Head Coach from 2009 to 2013, and the Bills Defensive Coordinator for the last two seasons. Billy Davis, who is still officially the Eagles Defensive Coordinator, said after Chip Kelly was fired that he didn’t expect to be retained for next season.

97.5 The Fanatic’s Anthony Gargano also reported that Brad Childress will likely be Pederson’s offensive coordinator. Childress, who was previously the head coach of the Vikings, spent time in Philadelphia already as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Reid. He is currently Kansas City’s Spread Game Analyst/Special Projects Coach.

Before the news broke of Pederson’s expected hiring, UTEP Head Coach Sean Kugler reportedly said Ken Flajole accepted a job with the Eagles today. It’s unclear what position Flajole will hold, but his most recent NFL job was with the Browns as the inside linebackers coach.

The Eagles won’t be able to officially announce the hiring of Pederson until after the Chiefs are eliminated from the playoffs. Kansas City visits New England on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. in the AFC Divisional round.