/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48523451/GettyImages-500250014.0.jpg)
When the Eagles hire a new coach at some point, one of his first tasks will be to set up a new coaching staff. But that staff might not be entirely new. According to the Daily News, the Eagles are aiming to keep four of Chip Kelly's assistant coaches.
While the Eagles’ new head coach likely will be free to hire all of his own assistants, I’m told four of Chip Kelly’s assistants will be recommended by Lurie and Howie Roseman as possible "keeps’’ to the new coach: special teams coordinator Dave Fipp, running backs coach Duce Staley, defensive backs coach Cory Undlin and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.
These recommendations make sense.
Fipp has done a great job overseeing a special teams unit that ranked No. 1 in 2014 and finished 10th in 2015. Keeping him around would be ideal.
Staley actually interviewed for the Eagles' head coaching job and has been around since the Andy Reid era.
Philadelphia's secondary improved under the guidance of Undlin. Malcolm Jenkins had a Pro Bowl worthy year, Walter Thurmond made a successful transition from cornerback to safety, rookie Eric Rowe showed major improvement, and even journeyman E.J. Biggers looked serviceable at times.
One can theorize the presence of Stoutland explains why the Eagles barely addressed the offensive line during Kelly's tenure. The Eagles seemed to think Stoutland could manage to get the most out of lesser players.
It's not unprecedented to see assistant coaches held over from previous regimes. Staley and former tight end coach Ted Williams both survived the house cleaning when the Eagles fired Andy Reid. Philadelphia's next head coach might not want to keep all of these assistants (and/or they might not want to stay), but it's no surprise to see why the organization wants to try to keep them.
The Eagles might have the best chance of keeping all four assistants if the Birds hire Pat Shurmur as head coach. Of course, that's hardly a reason to justify giving Shurmur the title.
...
My question to you: Which assistants, if any, do you want to see the Eagles keep?