Doug Pederson announced as Eagles coach
PHILADELPHIA -- Doug Pederson was officially announced as the new coach of the Philadelphia Eagleson Monday.
Pederson, 47, will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday.
The team will interview former Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz for its defensive coordinator position on Tuesday, a league source told ESPN's Adam Caplan.
Schwartz was seen arriving in Philadelphia on Monday. He has also interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive coordinator position, sources told ESPN's Mike DiRocco, confirming multiple reports. The Browns have interest in Schwartz but have received permission from the Tennessee Titans to interview Ray Horton for their defensive coordinator position, a source told ESPN's Paul Kuharsky, confirming an earlier report by NFL Network.
Pederson will replace Chip Kelly, who was fired Dec. 29, five days before the Eagles' final regular-season game.
"We are excited to introduce Doug Pederson as our new head coach," Eagles owner Jeff Lurie said in a statement. "Doug is a strategic thinker, a compelling leader and communicator and someone who truly knows how to get the best out of his players. All of these factors were what initially attracted us to Doug, and we believe that he is the right man to help us achieve our ultimate goal."
The Eagles agreed to a deal with Pederson on Thursday. However, he could not be officially hired until the Kansas City Chiefs' playoff run ended with a loss to the New England Patriotson Saturday.
Pederson, Kansas City's offensive coordinator, traveled back from Massachusetts with the team, then arrived in Philadelphia around noon Monday.
Pederson played quarterback for the Eagles in 1999. He was brought in by then-coach Andy Reid, who had also coached Pederson in Green Bay, to start until first-round pick Donovan McNabb was ready to play. Pederson started nine games with a 2-7 record. He was released after the 1999 season.
He is the first former Eagle to become head coach of the team since former offensive and defensive lineman Marion Campbell was the Eagles' coach for three seasons (1983-85) between Dick Vermeil and Buddy Ryan.
Pederson had been offensive coordinator on Reid's Kansas City staff the past three seasons. Before that, he was a quality control coach and quarterbacks coach for four seasons on Reid's staff with the Eagles.
Before coaching, Pederson spent 12 seasons as a backup quarterback with four NFL teams: Miami, Green Bay, Philadelphia and Cleveland. He played for coaches Reid, Don Shula and Mike Holmgren.
