We are profiling all the likely candidates for the Eagles head coaching position in 2013. For the rest of the series, check out this hub.
Next up is Mike McCoy, offensive coordinator, Denver Broncos.
Resume
2000 Carolina Panthers (Offensive assistant)
2001 Carolina Panthers (Wide receivers coach)
2002-2003 Carolina Panthers (Offensive assistant)
2004-2005 Carolina Panthers (Quarterbacks/offensive assistant coach)
2006 Carolina Panthers (Quarterbacks coach)
2007-2008 Carolina Panthers (Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach)
2009 Denver Broncos (Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach)
2010-present Denver Broncos (Offensive coordinator)
Why he could work
At only 40 years old, McCoy has a surprisingly extensive resume and certainly fits the mold of the type of guy that could be head coach somewhere for the next decade. He was a QB in college at Cal State Long Beach and Utah before have a few cups of coffee in the NFL with the 49ers and Packers. He even got an invite to Eagles camp in 1998 before playing a couple of years in the CFL.
Since then, he seems to have developed into somewhat of a QB guru. As QB coach & passing game coordinator In Carolina, he helped Jake Delhomme post franchise records in pretty much every passing category and even make one Pro Bowl.
When he moved onto Denver he would help Kyle Orton post career highs in every passing category in 2009. In Orton's first two seasons under McCoy, he threw for over 40 TDs and completed 60% of his passes. In 2010, Denver's pass offense was ranked 7th in the NFL. In 2011, he was responsible for completely reworking the Broncos offense around Tim Tebow. They led the NFL in rushing that year.
Now, with Peyton Manning at QB, McCoy's offense ranks #4 in the league. But you can't just credit Manning for all that. Even the future hall of famer himself is reaching heights he hasn't seen a long time.
Manning's touchdown-pass total of 34 is his highest in eight years, his completion percentage is the second-best of his career and his quarterback rating of 103.7 is on track to be his finest in seven years.
He doesn't have any head coaching experience, but he's got 10 years in the NFL, 4 of which have been as a coordinator. McCoy is certainly qualified to take the next step.
Why he may not be the guy
There's not a lot to dislike about McCoy. Broncos fans have criticized him for unimaginative playcalling at times, but it seems the closer you are to a team the more likely you are to find something to complain about.
One potential issue is the same as Dirk Koetter. The Broncos are virtually guaranteed a first round bye, so if the Eagles want to interview him it will have to take place next week during the run up to wildcard weekend.
And beyond that, the Eagles are going to have to interest him. He was approached by 3 teams last season (Miami, Oakland & Jacksonville) and only chose to interview with one (Miami). The reason he rebuffed the Jags was reportedly because they wanted to hire someone quickly, but he wanted to focus on the Broncos' playoff run. If the Eagles really want him, they may have to wait until the Broncos are done... which could be after the Super Bowl.
Final thoughts
McCoy has been successful with a pretty amazing array of different QBs of all talents and ages. Everything from one of the great passers of all time in Peyton Manning to one of the worst in Tim Tebow. He's taken guys with probably average talent in Delhomme and Orton and coaxed Pro Bowl seasons out of them.
He's shown the ability to be adaptable and runs a balanced system. He doesn't have head coaching experience, but he's learned under a very solid guy in John Fox for most of his career.
Here's the most amazing note about McCoy. He's never been fired. Despite the fact that 3 of his bosses have been canned, the higher ups have elected to keep McCoy each time.