Ex Cleveland head coach Pat Shurmur joins the Eagles as offensive coordinator.
The Philadelphia Eagles elected not to acknowledge or confirm reports on additions to their coaching staff under Chip Kelly until all hires were finalized. With the issue of a press release on Friday, they have announced that all moves are finally complete.
The final list is as follows:
Pat Shurmur (offensive coordinator)
Bill Davis (defensive coordinator)
Dave Fipp (special teams coordinator)
Greg Austin (assistant offensive line)
Jerry Azzinaro (defensive line/assistant head coach)
Bob Bicknell (wide receivers)
Erik Chinander (assistant defensive line)
Mike Dawson (defensive quality control)
Matt Harper (assistant special teams)
Josh Hingst (strength and conditioning)
Shaun Huls (sports science coordinator)
Bill Lazor (quarterbacks)
John Lovett (defensive backs)
Todd Lyght (assistant defensive backs)
Bill McGovern (outside linebackers)
Rick Minter (inside linebackers)
Justin Peelle (assistant tight ends)
Duce Staley (running backs)
Jeff Stoutland (offensive line)
Press Taylor (offensive quality control)
Ted Williams (tight ends)
Shurmur was most recently head coach of the Cleveland Browns for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. His hire has been widely reported. News that Davis, formerly linebackers coach of the Browns, would serve as the new defensive coordinator for Philadelphia just broke on Thursday.
A lot of love given to former Browns staff in key positions for whatever reason. Obviously Eagles fans hope and pray that the results will be far better than what has been seen from the Browns in recent years.
Dave Fipp (Special Teams Coordinator) served as the assistant special teams coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2011-12. During his two years in Miami, the Dolphins ranked 2nd (2011) and 4th (2012) in the NFL in overall special teams rankings according to the data compiled by Dallas Morning News columnist Rick Gosselin. Prior to the Dolphins, Fipp worked for three years as the assistant special teams coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 2008-10. Before his time in the NFL, Fipp spent 10 years coaching in the college ranks at San Jose State (2005-07), Nevada (2004), Cal Poly (2001-03), Arizona (2000), and Holy Cross (1998-99).
Other highlights from the newly announced coaching staff, which rejoin several former members of Oregon’s coaching staff:
Jerry Azzinaro (Defensive Line/Assistant Head Coach) rejoins Coach Kelly as defensive line coach after serving in the same role on his staff at Oregon from 2009-12. During that span, the Ducks defensive line compiled a total of 76 sacks. Prior to joining the coaching staff at Oregon, Azzinaro was the defensive line coach at Marshall University in 2008 and at the University of New Hampshire in 2007. Azzinaro also had stints with Duke (2004-06), Syracuse (1999-03), Maine (1998), UMass (1992-94, 1997), Boston College (1995-96), American International College (1987-91) and Western New England (D-III, 1986).
Bob Bicknell (Wide Receivers) most recently completed a three-year stint with the Buffalo Bills as their wide receivers coach (2012) and tight ends coach (2010-11). Prior to that, he spent the previous three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs as assistant offensive line coach (2007), offensive line coach (2008) and tight ends coach (2009). Before joining the NFL ranks, Bicknell was the offensive line coach at Temple in 2006 and coached in NFL Europe from 1998-2005.
Bill Lazor (Quarterbacks) joins the Eagles after spending the previous three seasons as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Virginia. Lazor boasts seven years of NFL coaching experience and most recently served as the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks (2008-09) and Washington Redskins (2006-07). Lazor made his NFL coaching debut with the Atlanta Falcons in 2003 as an offensive quality control coach before becoming an offensive assistant with the Redskins from 2004-05. In the collegiate ranks, he also held coaching stints at Cornell (1994-00) and the University of Buffalo (2001-02). Lazor’s own experience as a player includes as an All-Ivy League quarterback at Cornell.
John Lovett (Defensive Backs) comes to Philadelphia with nearly four decades of coaching experience on his resume, primarily at the collegiate level. He initially was hired by the University of Cincinnati this offseason after serving as the defensive backs coach at Texas Tech in 2012, mentoring a unit that led the Big 12 conference in pass defense. Lovett’s career includes stints as defensive coordinator at Miami (Fla.), Bowling Green, Clemson, Auburn, Maine and Cincinnati. He also spent one season as the defensive quality control coach for the New York Jets in 1984. A graduate of C.W. Post in 1973, Lovett was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame after playing there as a linebacker and safety.
And yay – Deuce Staley stays with the Eagles but will coach running backs after spending the last two seasons as the team’s special teams quality control coach. He also assisted Ted Williams in coaching the team’s running backs during his time here and has played a key role in the development of LeSean McCoy. One of the most popular and toughest players to ever suit up in an Eagles uniform, Staley was originally a third-round pick of Philadelphia in 1997 and spent seven seasons with the team.
For the full background on each member of the staff, go here for the offensive assistants and here for the defensive assistants.
Chip Kelly will meet with the media on Monday at 1 pm to discuss the hires.
What do you think of Kelly’s hires, his first major task as Eagles head coach?
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Brandyn Campbell of Philly Sports Muse, for War Room Sports
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