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UPDATE: Zach Berman of The Athletic reports the Eagles have offered Michael Clay their special teams coordinator position. One would think he’ll accept.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW.
The Philadelphia Eagles are set to interview San Francisco 49ers assistant special teams coach Michael Clay for their special teams coordinator vacancy, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Clay is also drawing interest from the New York Jets for the same position.
Clay, who’s only 29, played linebacker at Oregon under Chip Kelly from 2009 through 2012. After spending the 2013 offseason as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Miami Dolphins, Clay reunited with Kelly on the Eagles’ coaching staff in 2014. Here’s an overview of his coaching experience thus far:
2014 — Philadelphia Eagles defensive quality control coach
2015 — Philadelphia Eagles assistant special teams coach
2016 — San Francisco 49ers assistant special teams coach
2017 — San Francisco 49ers assistant special teams coach/assistant strength and conditioning coach
2018-2020 — San Francisco 49ers assistant special teams coach
As you can see, Clay followed Kelly to San Fran and was able to stick around on Kyle Shanahan’s staff.
Here’s how the special teams units that Clay has been on have ranked in terms of Football Outsiders’ DVOA:
2014 — 1st
2015 — 10th
2016 — 17th
2017 — 11th
2018 — 14th
2019 — 12th
2020 — 23rd
The average finish is about 13th, which is slightly above average.
The Eagles need a new special teams coordinator after allowing Dave Fipp to leave to take the same position with the Detroit Lions. Perhaps the Birds will go with Fipp’s former assistant as his replacement.