Doug Pederson made his first major move as head coach on Tuesday, when he picked and announced Jim Schwartz as his defensive coordinator (see story).
But there are still plenty of jobs to fill on his staff.
While Pederson will call plays for the Eagles next season, he still seemingly plans on hiring an offensive coordinator. On Tuesday, he said that decision has not yet been reached.
“To answer that, I’m still going through the evaluation process there,” Pederson said. “I haven't decided yet on an offensive coordinator. Interviewing a few people, and again, just evaluate that position. I know it's an important position.”
During his press conference, Pederson said he is going to retain special teams coordinator Dave Fipp and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland. In a one-on-one interview with CSN's Derrick Gunn after the press conference, Pederson said he is also keeping running backs coach Duce Staley.
Under Fipp, the Eagles’ special teams unit has been a strength of the team.
“I like his style,” Pederson said of Fipp. “He [has had] one of the top special teams units in the National Football League the last few years. I like his style.”
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Pederson would not confirm that defensive coach Ken Flajole is on the staff just yet. He said the two have had talks and there’s “a potential of hiring him.” The Flajole news is what seemingly led to the Pederson news breaking. Last Thursday, before we found out Pederson was the next head coach, it surfaced that Flajole turned down the UTEP defensive coordinator job to take a job with the Eagles.
The emergence of an assistant coach revealed the likelihood that a head coach was in place.
Although the Chiefs were in the playoffs just a few days ago, Pederson has had time to put his staff together.
“I had full cooperation there,” Pederson said. “I was given the opportunity to search and put together the best staff, not only for the Philadelphia Eagles but for me, and the guys that fit with my personality and what I believe in. So I was given the support of that.”