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Now that we’ve finished our Eagles position review series, let’s turn our attention to Philadelphia’s coaching staff. Today we’ll be evaluating offensive coordinator Mike Groh.
MIKE GROH
REVIEW: The Eagles found themselves needing a new offensive coordinator last offseason with Frank Reich leaving to become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Instead of holding a wide search, the Eagles focused on just two candidates: wide receivers coach Mike Groh and running backs coach Duce Staley. Groh obviously ended up getting the job. There was a case to be made promoting from within made sense. Groh had an involved role with an Eagles third down offense that ranked second best in 2017.
Optimism about Groh started to wane when it became clear the Eagles were having offensive issues. Too often was the team getting off to slow starts. Philadelphia finished the 2018 season dead last in first quarter points with just 2.6 per game.
The struggles weren’t all Groh’s fault. It’s not like he’s the one calling the plays; that’s Doug Pederson. But we know Pederson is a collaborator and it was tough to look at Groh as part of the solution. Especially when you peeked at his resume and noticed he oversaw a Rams offense that ranked dead last in passing when he was LA’s passing game coordinator in 2016. And when you heard him talk about how incorporating Golden Tate into the offense was “challenging.” He just didn’t inspire a ton of confidence.
Perhaps Groh deserves some credit for how the offense started to turn it around a bit towards the end of the season. The Eagles obviously feel comfortable retaining him, as evidenced by Pederson saying he’ll remain with the team in 2019.
OUTLOOK: Back in mid-December, BGN’s Michael Kist made the case for the Eagles firing Groh. It certainly wasn’t a sentiment that Eagles fans disagreed with:
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Given last year’s struggles, it would’ve been nice if the Eagles added a veteran offensive mind to this year’s coaching staff. As of right now, it doesn’t appear they’ll be doing that. Thus, the pressure will be on Groh in 2019 as he looks to help get the offense back to 2017 form. The same goes for Doug Pederson but the Eagles will rightfully be giving their Super Bowl winning head coach a longer leash than Groh will get.