The Philadelphia Eagles still have not named their next head coach, although nearly every indication that has been given to this point indicates that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson will be "the guy," once all the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. What comes next for Philly and Pederson is putting together a staff and reports have already begun to swirl as to their top targets for offensive and defensive coordinator. It was suggested Sunday that Frank Reich, the Chargers' offensive coordinator, was the preference for that side of the ball, while Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants was the No. 1 choice on the defensive side.
Unfortunately for Philly, Spagnuolo remains under contract with the Giants and it sounds like the Eagles were denied when they asked for permission to speak with Spags.
“The Eagles called the Giants and asked for permission to talk with Spags, they were denied permission” - @AnthonyLGargano
— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) January 18, 2016
While Spagnuolo's unit struggled this season, he seemed to be dealt a difficult hand (pun intended) from the outset with Jason Pierre-Paul the only pass rusher of note on the team - and missing for much of the season thanks to a Fourth of July fireworks accident - and his secondary both bereft of talent and, by the team preseason wound down, bereft of healthy bodies as well.
The Eagles may very well be interested in Spagnuolo as Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News originally reported, but it sure sounds like the Giants are intent on keeping their formerly Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator.
