Eagles hire Chiefs OC Doug Pederson as head coach
The Philadelphia Eagles have hired Doug Pederson to replace Chip Kelly as the team's head coach, the team announced Monday.
“We are excited to introduce Doug Pederson as our new head coach,” said Eagles Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie. “Doug is a strategic thinker, a compelling leader and communicator, and someone who truly knows how to get the best out of his players. All of these factors were what initially attracted us to Doug and we believe that he is the right man to help us achieve our ultimate goal.”
Pederson, 47, has been Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator since 2013, following Andy Reid from Philadelphia, where he was an assistant coach. He played quarterback for the Eagles during the 1999 season and later joined the coaching staff in 2009, beginning as offensive quality control coach and then serving as quarterbacks coach from 2011-2012. While playing for the Eagles, he served as a temporary starter ahead of rookie Donovan McNabb.
He interviewed with the Eagles just one day after the Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card game. He has aided in the success of quarterback Alex Smith and running back Jamaal Charles, and helped the Chiefs move forward from Charles’s season-ending injury in 2015 with backup running backs Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware faring well at the position.
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The 47-year-old played professionally for 12 years, most notably as Brett Favre’s backup in Green Bay.
Pederson followed Andy Reid to Kansas City after the head coach parted ways with the Eagles in 2012.
Kelly was hired as the San Francisco 49ers head coach on Thursday.
