Early Birds: Potential coaching candidates
It's only the first day of the coaching search, so much more will be learned in the coming days and weeks. This list is by no means all inclusive, but here are some potential names to watch as Jeffrey Lurie, Dom Smolenski, and Howie Roseman search for their second coach in four years:
NFL ASSISTANT COACHES
Hue Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator
Jackson, 50, was 8-8 as the Oakland Raiders head coach in 2011 and is a respected leader in the NFL. He has impressed as the Bengals' offensive coordinator since 2014. Expect Jackson to be a hot coaching candidate whenever the Bengals' season concludes.
Adam Gase, Chicago Bears offensive coordinator
Gase, 37, was a popular candidate last offseason after spending time as Peyton Manning's offensive coordinator in Denver. His candidacy only improved after going to the Bears and helping quarterback Jay Cutler to one of his finest seasons in the NFL.
Sean McDermott, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator
McDermott, 41, is a former Eagles defensive coordinator and a La Salle High School alum. A protégé of famed Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, McDermott spent 11 years with the Eagles before he was fired after the 2010 season. He's established a strong reputation leading Carolina's defense, which is No. 4 in the NFL.
Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots offensive coordinator
McDaniels, 39, went 11-17 as the head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009-2010, but personnel decisions were his undoing. He has returned to the Patriots, where he works under Belichick. McDaniels is believed to be selective about his next job, but he's still a young coach with a strong offensive background.
Teryl Austin, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
Austin, 50, was a head coaching candidate last offseason. He's in his second season as the Lions' defensive coordinator. The unit has regressed after losing key talent, but he has a strong pedigree (worked under John Harbaugh, Urban Meyer, Mike Holmgren) and his schemes have impressed in both seasons in Detroit.
Doug Marrone, assistant head coach/offensive line coach, Jacksonville Jaguars
Marrone, 51, walked away from Buffalo Bills head coaching job last offseason after a 9-7 season and going 15-17 in two seasons. The former Syracuse coach (25-25 in four years) was on the Eagles' list in 2013. Despite the abrupt exit in Buffalo, Marrone's expected to be a head-coaching candidate this year.
Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Koetter, 56, was 66-44 as head coach at Boise State and Arizona State from 1998-2006. He has since been an offensive coordinator in the NFL. The Eagles were interested in 2013 when Koetter was with the Falcons, and he has the Bucs as the NFL's No. 7 offense with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston.
COLLEGE COACHES
Brian Kelly, Notre Dame
The Eagles showed interest in Kelly, 54, in 2013. He is 55-22 in six seasons with Notre Dame and 226-79-2 in four college stops. The Eagles might be skittish about going back to the college ranks, but Kelly will be on the NFL's radar of college coaches.
David Shaw, Stanford
It will be difficult to wrestle Shaw away from his alma mater, but the 43-year-old is 53-14 in five years coaching Stanford. He runs a pro style offense and spent nine seasons in the NFL, including one year as the Eagles' quality control.
Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M
The Aggies coach does not have same luster as he did in 2013, but he was a darkhorse Eagles candidate at the time and runs a high-powered offense in college. Sumlin does not have any NFL experience, but he's drawn NFL interest. He is 36-15 in two college stops, although his two worst seasons at Texas A&M have been the past two years.