Duce Staley mentioned as future head coach

If you were an Eagles fan in the late 90's and early 2000's, you were likely happy to hear Duce Staley return to the Eagles as a coaching intern under Andy Reid in the 2010 offseason. Since then Duce has simply climbed the ladder from intern to assistant head coach and running backs coach. Prior to 2019 it was rumored Staley nearly added coordinator to his list of duties but the team instead decided to promote Mike Groh...and we saw how well that went. Duce Staley has basically helped coach up any successful running back who has played for the team since the 2001 season when the Eagles drafted his understudies Correll Buckhalter, and Brian Westbrook in back to back years. At that point Staley had been in Andy Reid and Brad Childress's system for 5 seasons and was the elder statesmen in the running back room, and he didn't shy away from the competition. Staley held onto the #1 duties for 3 out of the next 4 seasons before Philly decided to let him leave in free agency. He didn't venture far and signed a 5 year deal to be the lead back, but agreeing to splitting carries once again this time with a future hall of Famer in Jerome Bettis. Duce and the Bus joined together to form one of the more devastating running attacks for a season before injuries hit both men and Willie Parker emerged, yet another young runner who likely benefitted from the guidance of Jerome and Duce. Later this trio would lead Pittsburgh to a super bowl victory in 2005 which effectively wound up being the last game in both Duce and Jerome's careers. Jerome decided to retire on the biggest stage possible at the Super Bowl, while Duce wanted to play another year, however his return lasted just 1 snap into 2006 before he was inactive the rest of the year in favor of Najeh Davenport. He would ultimately retire as an Eagle. 

Quite the career in Pennsylvania in general for this 240 lb back who managed to play 9 seasons in the NFL as one of the shiftiest big backs I have ever seen run the ball. So naturally he was a popular addition to Philly's coaching staff in 2010 when he began to intern under his former head coach Andy Reid. Ge began his coaching career as an intern but quickly moved into a special teams quality control position he held for 2011 and 2012 season. In one of Chip Kelly's more intelligent moves he retained Duce after taking over for Reid, he made this move even more intelligent when he promoted him to running backs coach. Finally in his 4th year as a coach just 7 years removed from the last game he played in, he was back to the position group he belonged in. Duce has held the title of RB coach ever since Kelly was hired, but added assistant head coaching duties in 2018. I believe this was an effort by the Eagles front office to give him more incentive to stay after being passed over for the offensive coordinator position for Mike Groh. It worked, and Groh was quickly fired after 1 season in the role. Staley on the other hand stands to gain a bit more of a voice in game planning now thanks to the removal of a true singular voice as offensive coordinator. Which should bode well for his chances to make the next leap in his coaching career. 

My next question becomes what teams with coaches on the hot seat would look to a RB guru, for their next head coach? 

In Chicago they hired a former Andy Reid and Doug Pederson understudy in Matt Nagy who tied his future to Mitchel Trubisky and has ultimately regretted it. While I would be surprised to fire one former Reid disciple only to hire another even if they are from different paths. So let's rule out Chicago. 

Matt Patricia in Detroit has had some issues with rubbing players the wrong way and been blasted by former Lion and now current Eagle Darius Slay. Staley could prove to be a logical choice for many reasons. First of all the Lions have invested heavily at RB, in an effort to buoy an offense led by an aging Matthew Stafford. Staley has shown an incredible penchant for rotating runners, and there is a ton of potential for Kerryon Johnson, DeAndre Swift, and even 5th rounder Jason Huntley. Staley is also likely viewed as a candidate that would benefit from an established quarterback. Stafford is that guy, and Staley could be the perfect coach to keep him healthy with a run heavy attack with a focus on RPO's, and play action to freeze the defense even more. 

Jacksonville, and Doug Marrone seem destined for divorce unless Gardner Minshew can muster up some magic. Marrone definitely gained some believers after finding a gem of a qb in Minshew and showing an ability to develop him from week to week. Also they have a man in Leonard Fournette who Carrie's a similar stature to Staley, and could use a coach that can lead him to a resurgence after doubts about his ability to be a game changer like he was in college. The Jags have a young core and a guy not far removed from his playing career would likely resonate with this team well. This fit seems almost too perfect. 

How about Houston where fans might storm the stadium if O'Brien misses the playoffs and keeps his job after being named GM and trading away arguably the best player in franchise history for peanuts. This offense also seems like it is a decent running attack away from being a super bowl caliber offense. The Texans would provide a young but established quarterback, and provide a solid receiving group to build around. With guys like Randall Cobb, Will Fuller, Kenny Stills, and Brandin Cooks on the roster he could spread defenses out and utilize the skill set of Lamar Miller, Duke Johnson, and David Johnson out of the backfield to give defenses a legitimate run or pass catching threat in the backfield behind one of the most dynamic running qbs in the league. 

A surprise team could be Tennessee where Mike Vrabel coaches. I feel the teaming of Duce Staley and Derrick Henry would be an unstoppable coach/player combo.