No interview set for Arians; Eagles meet with Jay Gruden

The Eagles head coaching search took another unexpected turn Monday with word from the team that there is no scheduled interview Tuesday with Colts offensive coordinator and interim head coach Bruce Arians.It was reported by several outlets that Arians was scheduled to meet with the Eagles on Tuesday. The Eagles denied those reports for several days.The Eagles originally announced on Jan. 3 that they had been granted permission to interview Arians but did not announce a date for the interview. Eleven days later that interview has not occurred and is apparently still not currently scheduled.Arians is the only announced candidate for the Eagles head coaching vacancy who hasnt yet been interviewed. The team did announce that a second interview with Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is scheduled for Tuesday (see story).

Arians has also been linked to head coaching openings in Chicago and San Diego, and he sure seems like a natural fit in San Diego, now that the Chargers have hired Tom Telesco as general manager. Telesco was with Arians in Indianapolis both from 1998 through 2000 -- when Arians was quarterbacks coach and Telesco was a scout -- and again in 2012 when Telesco was director of player personnel.Arians, who coached Temple from 1983 through 1988, helped the Colts go from a 2-14 team last year to 11-5 and in the playoffs this year. Arians spent the previous eight years with the Steelers and in 2007 replaced Ken Whisenhunt as offensive coordinator when Whisenhunt became head coach of the Cards.On Monday, the Eagles interviewed both Whisenhunt and Jay Gruden in a one-day head coaching candidate doubleheader (see story).The Eagles didnt release any details of the Gruden meeting, only that Gruden, the Bengals offensive coordinator, met with the teams search committee of owner Jeff Lurie, president Don Smolenski and general manager Howie Roseman.Its been known since last Tuesday that the Eagles were interested in Gruden, younger brother of former Eagles offensive coordinator and Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden. Thats when they announced that they had requested permission from the Bengals to meet with Gruden. The Bengals granted permission on Saturday.Gruden is the 11th known candidate the Eagles have interviewed for their head coaching vacancy, which opened two weeks ago, when the club fired Andy Reid after 14 seasons.In two seasons as offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, the Bengals ranked 18th and 12th in points scored and 20th and 22nd in total yards.Also interviewed so far: Whisenhunt, Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong, Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, former Bears coach Lovie Smith, former Ravens coach Brian Billick and colleges coaches Chip Kelly of Oregon, Brian Kelly of Notre Dame and Bill OBrien of Penn State.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com.