The best thing and worst thing about every Eagles coaching candidate

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Ten official candidates. So far. 

Two are off the board – Robert Saleh and Arthur Smith – so that leaves the Eagles with eight known available candidates who have interviewed – or are about to interview - for their head coaching vacancy.

It’s a disparate group. Young guys, older guys, offensive coaches, defensive coaches, guys who’ve been head coaches, some who haven’t. Even a Patriot and a Cowboy.

Most likely, one of these eight guys will be the Eagles’ next head coach. Unless it’s someone else.

So as we all hold our breath waiting to hear if it’s the guy we want or the guy we’re dreading, here’s a look at those top eight candidates along with the best thing we know about them and the worst thing we know about them.

Dennis Allen


The Best Thing about Him: Saints have improved in each of his five full seasons as defensive coordinator, from 27th in 2016 to 17th in 2017 to 14th in 2018 to 11th in 2019 to 4th this past year.


The Worst Thing about Him: Went 8-28 with the Raiders from 2012 through the first month of 2014 in his only head coaching stint. His .222 career winning percentage ranks 261st out of 273 coaches in NFL history who’ve coached at least 32 games.

Todd Bowles

The Best Thing about Him: In four full seasons as a defensive coordinator, he’s had three top-10 defenses: No. 7 and No. 5 in Arizona in 2013 and 2014 and No. 8 in Tampa this year.

The Worst Thing about Him: Didn’t win more than five games in any of his last three seasons as head coach of the Jets. The only coach in Jets history with three straight seasons with five or fewer wins.

Joe Brady

The Best Thing about Him: Put up historic numbers in his one year at LSU, leading a star-studded offense that averaged 569 yards, 402 passing yards and 48 points per game.

The Worst Thing about Him: Has very little experience. Panthers ranked 24th in points and 21st in yards in his only year in Carolina and was only at LSU one year. Was a graduate assistant at Penn State just four years ago.

Jerod Mayo

The Best Thing about Him: Has a reputation as a tireless worker with a no-nonsense personality. Although he was a top-10 draft pick, he spent draft day raking leaves at his parents’ house. Spent his entire playing and coaching career alongside Bill Belichick.

The Worst Thing about Him: Has only been an NFL coach for two years and has never been a coordinator. 

Josh McDaniels

The Best Thing about Him: Has had a top-10 offense in 10 of his 13 years as an offensive coordinator.

The Worst Thing about Him: In five years as a head coach or offensive coordinator without Tom Brady, he’s had one top-10 offense.

Kellen Moore

The Best Thing about Him: Coached the No. 2 passing offense in the NFL in 2019, and this past year, even without Dak Prescott for most of the season, coached the No. 8 passing offense. 

The Worst Thing about Him: HE’S A COWBOY!!!!! No, seriously, just a lack of experience. Moore is only 32 and has only been coaching for three years.

Nick Sirianni 

The Best Thing about Him: Has had two top-10 offenses in three seasons with the Colts and has worked with Frank Reich both with the Chargers and the Colts.

The Worst Thing about Him: Has never called plays. Reich is the play caller in Indianapolis. 

Duce Staley

The Best Thing about Him: Has played or coached under some of the best offensive minds in the game: Sean Payton, Jon Gruden, Andy Reid, Chip Kelly, Doug Pederson. Nobody gets Philly better than Duce.

The Worst Thing about Him: Hasn’t been a coordinator, hasn’t called plays, hasn’t coached quarterbacks, and at least one of those is generally a prerequisite for a head coach.

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