Eagles Owner Discusses Firing Current Chiefs Coach Andy Reid
In a Super Bowl replete with juicy storylines, few have loomed larger than the connection between Chiefs coach Andy Reid and the Eagles.
Reid, who coached Philadelphia from 1999-2012, is the winningest coach in Eagles history. His 130 wins are more than double the 63 wins of the coach in second place, two-time NFL champion Greasy Neale, who led Philadelphia from 1941-50.
However, the Eagles fired Reid after a 4–12 season in 2012. Kansas City moved to snap him up and the rest is history. It is a move that, in hindsight, draws a thoughtful reaction from Philadelphia owner Jeffrey Lurie.
"It was extremely difficult because I was personally extremely close with Andy,” Lurie told the Washington Post. “Obviously we were very, very successful together. He represented everything that I believe in."
Reid posted eight 10-win seasons in the City of Brotherly Love and steered the Eagles to the NFC title in 2004.
"I just think the best thing for Andy at the time — and I think his family probably thought the best thing for Andy at the time — was to have a different environment for his family at that moment in time," Lurie continued. "I always thought he’d be highly successful wherever he went. I credit the Chiefs for immediately realizing their opportunity. And they got a first-ballot Hall of Fame coach, in my opinion.”
As good as Reid was with Philadelphia, he has been even better in Kansas City, compiling a .722 win percentage in 10 seasons.
