Nobody wants to be the Eagles offensive coordinator under Nick Sirianni

Nick Sirianni’s sideline antics and frosty demeanor appear to be having a major effect on the Eagles’ ability to find a new offensive coordinator. Two potential coordinators have turned down the job, which is remarkable for an established playoff team that’s one year removed from winning a Super Bowl. Typically this is the kind of gig anyone would want, creating the visibility hopeful head coaches need to catapult themselves into a top role. Instead Philadelphia’s front office is being met with crickets.

Charlie Weis Jr. was the hot name in NFL circles to take the job, but instead the former Ole Miss offensive coordinator is going to stick with Lane Kiffin and continue his career at LSU. Weis Jr. took his name out of consideration for the Eagles job, remaining in one with a lot less prestige.

Next up was Declan Doyle of the Chicago Bears. While Doyle is technically the team’s offensive coordinator, playcalling duties reside with head coach Ben Johnson. Moving to Philadelphia would have been a move that allowed Doyle to receive greater credit as a play caller, allowing him to take the next step in his career as well.

This comes after the team reportedly had interest in ex-Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who didn’t interview with the team prior to accepting a job in Los Angeles to be the offensive coordinator of the Chargers.

It’s only fair to question what is prompting people to stay in lesser jobs, rather than head to Philly. Perhaps the pressure of the city or role on the team plays a significant part. Former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo faced ceaseless abuse from fans this past season, as he was blamed for the team’s struggles. Patullo took on the role after being a close personal friend and key staff member of Sirianni’s, which was seen as a hire that lacked prestige after both Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore dovetailed the job into head coaching gigs.

The other element is the sink or swim nature of being a coordinator under Sirianni. We either see coaches quickly get head coaching jobs, or get fired after one-and-done seasons like Patullo and Brian Johnson — both of whom were out after a season.

Then there’s the wild card, which is Sirianni’s role in all this. There is a reputation here that the Eagles’ head coach spends too much time mugging on the sideline (or fighting with his own players) instead of being an active part of the in-game planning. This has led to Sirianni largely being a fairweather coach, who basks in the credit when everything is going right — but also gives him plausible deniability when a game goes bad. From here fans rip his coordinators, instead of questioning the role of the man in charge.

There are still a lot of names the Eagles are interested in, but it’s becoming increasingly apparent they won’t get a top choice. This might be another season to settle, take someone who is a lot more shaky, and throw them into one of football’s toughest roles. I don’t envy whoever takes that job.