This weekend the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles will meet in Tremendous Bowl LVII. The assembly between the 2 head coaches — Andy Reid of the Chiefs and Nick Sirianni of the Eagles — is among the many many desirable matchups on this recreation.
But, for a sliver of time in 2013, there was a second the place these two males may have gone down many various paths, altering the course of soccer historical past.
Throughout the 2012 NFL common season, the Chiefs struggled, ending with a 2-14 report below head coach Romeo Crennel. Crennel, who took over on an interim foundation the earlier season when the group parted methods with head coach Todd Haley, was let go on the finish of the 12 months.
That very same season, the Eagles limped to their very own dropping report, ending 4-12 below Reid. It was simply the third dropping season for the Eagles throughout Reid’s tenure, however it could be his final in Philadelphia. Following the tip of the season, proprietor Jeffrey Lurie introduced that his contract, which had expired, wouldn’t be prolonged.
As Lurie mentioned this week, Reid’s job efficiency was not the explanation why. “I believe he realized that for his household, a change in venue was most likely the very best. He actually may be very assured in his skill to be an especially profitable coach once more. I had that confidence in him too. That’s what made it so exhausting.”
Reid’s son Garrett handed away tragically firstly of coaching camp that 12 months on account of a drug overdose.
Nonetheless, whereas one chapter of Reid’s life closed in Philadelphia, one other opened for him. In Kansas Metropolis. The Chiefs employed Reid as their head coach early in 2013, and one of many first to reward the transfer was Reid’s former boss, Lurie. “Congratulations to Clark Hunt and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs for hiring an excellent man and an excellent coach,” Eagles proprietor Jeffrey Lurie stated Friday evening. “We want Andy, (spouse) Tammy and their total household all the very best of their new dwelling.”
The transfer raised questions on the remainder of the Chiefs’ workers, together with a younger extensive receivers coach.
Nick Sirianni.
Sirianni started his NFL teaching profession below Haley, beginning out as an offensive high quality management coach. When the Chiefs parted methods with Haley, Sirianni remained on workers below Crennel, with a promotion to extensive receivers coach.
However with a brand new head coach on the town, Sirianni’s job standing was doubtful, and Reid didn’t waste time confirming these doubts. The brand new Chiefs head coach had somebody in thoughts for the job, but Reid took the time to let Sirianni know personally, one thing Sirianni talked about this week.
“He (Reid) had a man that I actually admired that he pulled me into the workplace and requested to satisfy with me and informed me nose to nose that he had a man, however had heard good issues about me, and I appreciated that,” Sirianni stated throughout Tremendous Bowl media week. “His honesty, his skill to get to me as quickly as he probably may so I may transfer on and discover one other job. I didn’t get an opportunity to choose his mind in any respect on something like that however bought a ton of respect for Coach Reid and who he’s as an individual and who he’s as a coach. His report speaks for itself, however you speak to anyone, and so they suppose even increased of him as an individual.”
Reid confirmed that temporary change as nicely throughout Tremendous Bowl media week. “After I got here right here, I used to be informed Nick Sirianni is a very particular coach. Actually an excellent soccer coach,” Reid stated earlier this week. “However, I had David (Culley). David was my assistant head coach and he had been with me for 14 years and so, he was coming with me. And I needed to make that willpower to maintain Nick or not, and I knew being nearly as good as he was and the popularity he had, I knew he was going to get one thing. And so, it’s labored out nice for him.”
It has labored out nice for Sirianni, and actually for each coaches. After leaving Kansas Metropolis, Sirianni joined the workers with the San Diego Chargers, beginning out as an offensive high quality management coach, and dealing his method up the ranks, first as a quarterbacks coach and later because the group’s extensive receivers coach. He labored below the group’s offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, and when the Indianapolis Colts employed Reich as their head coach in 2018, Sirianni adopted him to Indianapolis, now as their offensive coordinator.
His subsequent cease? Philadelphia.
However Sirianni’s time in Kansas Metropolis put him on the trail to the Eagles and put him on one other path as nicely. A extra private one, which he mentioned this week. “Clearly, it was actually necessary each methods,” Sirianni stated. “Kansas Metropolis is a superb city. We actually loved our time there. My spouse had quite a lot of associates there. I made some good associates there, as nicely, none of which I’d assume are rooting for us or our household this weekend, however that’s okay.When you might have one thing as vital as assembly your spouse there in that metropolis, that place, that timeframe, that metropolis is at all times going to hold a particular place in my coronary heart due to that.”
As for the person who, for a short second, was his boss in Kansas Metropolis? He has loved some success within the years since that second as nicely. Reid gained his first Tremendous Bowl title with the Chiefs, and Kansas Metropolis has been to a few Tremendous Bowls, and hosted five-straight AFC Championship Video games, throughout his tenure.
Now they’ll meet in Tremendous Bowl LVII.
One thing that was put in movement again in January of 2013.
