In search for new DC, Kelly wants ‘shutout-ability'

MOBILE, Ala. -- There is no one, singular, endearing trait that Chip Kelly is looking for in his defensive coordinator.

So while some might think the search has dragged on because he seeks an assistant who is tenacious and stoic or innovative and bombastic, Kelly insisted Monday that he is merely ensuring that the person he tabs as the ringleader of his defense has as many desirable traits and ideas as possible.

Were all in a society where you want one word to describe everything and I dont think I can describe a defensive coordinator in one word, the Eagles new head coach said after observing two practices on the first day of Senior Bowl week.

Theres so many different things youre looking at: Well, how detail oriented is he? What kind of teacher is he? What is his philosophical stance on not only just what he wants to run defensively, but also what are your theories in the red zone? What are your theories on coming out? How do you feel about third down? How many guys do you want on the roster?

Kelly didnt stop there, but you get the picture.

If Andy Reid had done this much homework before he hired Jim Washburn two years ago, Reid might still be coaching the Eagles, and Kelly might still be at Oregon or maybe wearing an orange-and-brown Cleveland Browns visor.

Although there were plenty of new faces in Eagles gear or with an Eagles name tag at Mondays practices -- including some coaches who have come over from Oregon and new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur -- the Eagles have not and will not announce any new staff member until every position is filled.

That could take another two weeks if Kelly plans to fill his defensive coordinator vacancy with Ed Donatell, the 49ers defensive backs coach who has emerged as a potential candidate, a league source told CSNPhilly.com.

Donatell, a former Packers and Falcons defensive coordinator who was with Green Bay during the infamous 4th-and-26 playoff game at the Linc, wouldnt be able to discuss the opening with Kelly until after the Super Bowl.

The Niners, who beat Atlanta 28-24 Sunday in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome, pitched a second-half shutout against the Falcons, which became even more relevant for the Eagles after Kelly provided further insight into what hes seeking from his defensive coordinator.

Ill give you a new word -- shutout-ability. That would be the one overriding quality, Kelly said, half-joking. And I have no idea how we can define that, but thats actually a pretty good word right there. Im going to tell everybody, If you have shutout-ability, then I need to talk to you.

Kidding aside, Kelly emphasized for a second time that he wouldnt be rushed into the decision, even as things around him are moving quickly, even as the Eagles go through the start of college prospect analysis without a full staff in place.

I dont have a timetable on it, he said. My biggest thing that Ive talked to everybody about is its kind of like when we were in recruiting at Oregon. Im not worried about who we dont get; Im worried about who we do get. And I want to make sure that person is the right fit because I dont want to be like, God, I wish I had spent a little more time and investigated this.

So Ive been pretty thorough unless its somebody that Ive either coached with or have a real good working knowledge of. But its been fun. Its talking football, and talking philosophies and talking strategy. Its stuff I love to do anyway. To me, thats not work.

Last week, Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham, a Nick Saban disciple, surfaced as a possible Eagles defensive coordinator, but Granthams buzz has died down over the past few days.

Kelly chatted with Saban for about 15 minutes on the sideline during the South Team practice but rebuilding the Eagles defense probably isnt as attractive to Saban as continuing to be the Emperor of the State of Alabama and gunning next year for the schools third straight national championship.

The Eagles were reportedly hoping to interview Giants linebackers coach Jim Hermann, who took his name out of the ring Monday.

Kelly also met last week with incumbent coordinator Todd Bowles but the two decided to part ways and Bowles on Monday was officially named defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals.

Two years ago, Reid had trouble replacing fired defensive coordinator Sean McDermott after Reid had already hired Washburn to coach the defensive line and implement his wide-nine scheme. He eventually settled on offensive line coach Juan Castillo, whose tenure as defensive coordinator lasted just 22 games.

Kelly brought his defensive line coach from Oregon, Jerry Azzinaro, to Mobile and has seemingly appointed him to some position, but its unclear if Azzinaro is the teams defensive line coach or if that has become an impediment to hiring a defensive coordinator.

General manager Howie Roseman was asked if Kelly had likewise put the cart before the horse, but Roseman -- who has yet to issue any comment on assistants -- made a face to suggest that hed rather have cocktails and dinner with Joe Banner than answer any questions pertaining to coaches not named Chip Kelly.

Can we just talk about personnel? Roseman said.

Whoever the defensive coordinator is, Kelly promised that the hire wouldnt be a yes-man who simply takes orders from the head coach. As he showed with his hiring of the West Coast offense-minded Shurmur, Kelly isnt necessarily looking for a like-minded assistant who thinks and operates the same way he does.

No. I think you need a lot of different personalities, he said. You need really, really smart people. I think you need people that are dedicated and sometimes you need people that are just a little off, too. Its a rare combination.

But I dont want everybody to be the same because I dont think wed grow as a group. I think we need to challenge each other. But you also have to have an ego enough so at the end of the day, its us and its our side of the street, no matter how we get to the final conclusion. When we get to that conclusion, were all in.

E-mail Geoff Mosher at gmosher@comcastsportsnet.com