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UPDATE: NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Reuben Frank reports a source told him that “Staley did not inquire about the job and would never consider leaving the Eagles for a college position coach role.”
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW.
Philadelphia Eagles assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley recently reached out to Will Muschamp about South Carolina’s vacant running backs coach opening, according to The Athletic’s Josh Kendall. Kendall also notes that Muschamp rebuffed Staley’s inquiry, so the Eagles won’t be losing Duce to the Gamecocks just yet.
It’s hardly unthinkable to see that Staley is looking at opportunities outside of Philly. He’s clearly reached his ceiling on the Eagles’ coaching staff after now being passed over twice when the team has had offensive coordinator openings. The Eagles reportedly didn’t even give Staley an interview for the OC job this time around.
Staley must’ve reached out to South Carolina fairly recently because their running backs coach job only opened up when Thomas Brown left to join the Los Angeles Rams last Saturday (Feb. 8). Coincidentally, the Eagles officially announced their 2020 coaching staff changes last Thursday (Feb. 6). Staley’s title remained unchanged while assistant running backs coach T.J. Paganetti had “assistant run game coordinator” added to his role.
Hiring Staley would be a great way for South Carolina to fill their running backs coach vacancy but Muschamp must realize that Staley would only be leaving stability with the Eagles to hopefully replace him as the head coach, hence the rebuffal.
It currently looks like Staley — the longest tenured coach on Philadelphia’s staff after being hired full-time in 2011 — will remain with the Eagles for at least one more season. But will the relationship last much longer than 2020, especially with Staley already looking to move on?
If Muschamp gets fired, Staley would be a logical candidate to replace him. Staley is a West Columbia, South Carolina native and he played for the Gamecocks in the mid 1990’s. Or perhaps Staley will find a head coaching opportunity somewhere else in the college ranks.
The Eagles might need a new running backs coach in 2021, if not sooner.