Today was absolute madness. The Eagles long coaching search ended in a fashion no one saw coming.

It originally looked like Gus Bradley was going to be the new Eagles HC yesterday, but then it was reported he was leaving to visit the Jacksonville Jaguars this morning. Oh, and then the Eagles hired some guy named Chip Kelly around noon.

But how did it all happen? Allow me to recap this exciting day for archival purposes and those of you who may have missed how it happened exactly.

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It all started this morning after news that Bradley was going to Jacksonville.

Then I saw this:

My sense is the #Eagles search is heading down the home stretch. A new coach today? I hear it's possible. #threetogo

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2013

And then

I know people are anxious for updates. Eagles, people around search have been quiet this morning so far.

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) January 16, 2013

I asked Tim what he meant by quiet. "Too quiet" as in something suspicious going on, or "quiet" as in not much going on? He responded with "We shall see." Needless to say, I was intrigued.

Then Geoff Mosher of CSN Philly tweeted

Echo this sentiment. Eerily quiet, I might add. RT @tim_mcmanus people anxious for updates. Eagles, people around search quiet this morning.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) January 16, 2013

And McManus retweeted this, which seemed to confirm the "too quiet" notion I asked about.

Shortly after seeing this I noted

Last time I remember the beat guys saying "Eagles have been eerily quiet" it was the day of the Juan Castillo hiring.

— Brandon Lee (@BrandonLeeSBN) January 16, 2013

It was the calm before the storm.

Then, for no good reason at all, I randomly decided to turn 97.5 The Fanatic on to see what they were saying about Gus Bradley leaving Philly without a deal. And shortly after ...

97.5 is saying they have sources that Chip Kelly is back in the running to be Eagles HC, wtf

— Brandon Lee (@BrandonLeeSBN) January 16, 2013

I wonder if 97.5's "source" could be McManus. Wouldn't be surprised if McManus broke the Eagles HC story. He broke Bowles to Eagles last yr.

— Brandon Lee (@BrandonLeeSBN) January 16, 2013

Let's recap: McManus (who is affiliated with 97.5) says that the Eagles are suspiciously quiet today. Mosher confirms Tim's feeling... (1/2)

— Brandon Lee (@BrandonLeeSBN) January 16, 2013

...then shortly after 97.5 reports Eagles could be back in the mix for Chip Kelly. Hm.

— Brandon Lee (@BrandonLeeSBN) January 16, 2013

Then Mort made it official:

Chip Kelly is the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, according to league sources. No announcement yet.

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 16, 2013

VERY shortly after Mort tweeted this, McManus sent out a tweet of his own saying "I'm hearing Kelly" which makes me believe McManus had the story all along and was just waiting for confirmation on it. Great work by Tim.

In some ways, it was a lot like the Nnamdi signing in the way it went down. It just came out of no where and excited everyone. It made for a huge twitter explosion and a really fun day.

Here's to remembering it and hoping Chip Kelly will be successful here.

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And on a side note, if you'll allow me to sing my own praises on this one...

I wrote this just the other day

I’m really certain the Eagles are just going to hire someone no one has really talked about because that would be the most Eagles thing to do. Not necessarily good or bad, but at this point I’d almost be more surprised if they hired an "obvious’ choice (Bradley, etc).

and

Some of these names seem like "obvious" choices. They're candidates with experience, success, and (seemingly) potential. But the longer this search goes on, the more I'm believing the Eagles are going to hire someone who's name hasn't been thrown around as much as these other guys. I don't have much reason to support this belief - just a feeling I have. Let's not forget that the great Andy Reid himself was a surprise hire.

Now obviously I didn't call the Kelly hire itself. And obviously Chip was a top candidate for the Eagles before it was reported that he was returning to Oregon. But still - I just had a feeling the Eagles had a trick up their sleeves and I was right about that much. So now you can feel free to insult me for being that "I told you so" guy!

Oh and I almost forgot:

(H/T @DerromeDix)