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We’ve known since early January that Eagles linebackers coach Ken Flajole wouldn’t be returning to the team in 2021. Now Philadelphia reportedly has his replacement.
The Birds are adding Minnesota Vikings defensive quality control coach/assistant linebackers coach Nick Rallis to Nick Sirianni’s staff, according to a report from NJ.com writer and BGN alumnus Mike Kaye.
Rallis is yet another young hire. The 27-year-old is only about five months older than Eagles linebacker Alex Singleton! Rallis is actually younger than 23 players currently under contract with Philly.
It wasn’t that long ago when Rallis was playing linebacker at the University of Minnesota. He finished his college career with 65 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and one sack.
Here’s a snapshot of his limited coaching experience:
2017 — Wake Forest graduate assistant
2018-2020 — Minnesota Vikings defensive quality control coach/assistant linebackers coach
Rallis never overlapped with new Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon on the Vikings but the two share familiarity from both working under Mike Zimmer. Rallis worked with notable players like Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr in Minny.
The Eagles’ new linebackers coach has his work cut out for him as he takes full command of a position group for the first time in his young career. Philly has one of the league’s least impressive linebacker corps but it’ll be on Rallis to make the most of what he’s got.
In other news, Eagles strength and conditioning coach Josh Hingst won’t be returning to the team in 2021. Hingst originally came to Philly when Chip Kelly was hired in 2013 and remained through the Doug Pederson era. Now Hingst is joining the Vikings (so, almost like the Eagles traded him for Rallis) in the same position he held with the Eagles. Not sure how much, if at all, Hingst was to blame for Philly’s injury woes over the past several seasons ... but maybe not the worst idea to try a new hire at that position anyway.