The OC Search thread

[sfphillyfan]

McDaniel is out. He’s gonna sign with the Chargers.

[ThoughtProcess]

Whither Daboll? He could be in play for HC in Buffalo.

[ThoughtProcess]

Also, McDaniel hasn't yet signed with the Chargers yet, though that is the Chargers intention. Theoretically he could back out...

[ThoughtProcess]

https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/...dates-by-tiers

BRIAN DABOLL


Former New York Giants head coach
Pros


Daboll checks almost every structural requirement the Eagles should be targeting: he’s a proven NFL play-caller, he has a tangible quarterback development track record, and he has demonstrated adaptability across different personnel and different eras of offensive football. His work in Buffalo stands out as one of the best offensive development jobs of the last decade, transforming Josh Allen from a traits-first passer into a layered processor who could beat defenses with anticipation, coverage recognition, and intermediate manipulation.

At Alabama, he leaned into heavy personnel and power-run concepts; in Buffalo, he built a spread/RPO base with vertical stress; in New York, he pivoted to quick game, misdirection, and manufactured touches due to offensive line talent and injuries. Daboll also has meaningful relational overlap: he worked with Sirianni in Kansas City, coached Hurts at Alabama, and also knows Barkley and DeVonta Smith personally

Daboll would bring legitimate autonomy. Part of the Eagles’ stated intent is to let the new OC “run the offense” and inject their own identity. Daboll’s r?sum? gives him the authority to actually do that, which is something that younger or system-derived candidates would struggle to demand.
Cons


The concerns with Daboll are not schematic; they are interpersonal. He is a demanding coach who holds players to a high standard and can be combustible on the sideline. To be frank, he looks like a bit of an idiot at times on the sideline. That can be constructive for some quarterbacks, but it can also challenge building dynamics when the system hits adversity. His stint with the Giants included visible sideline tension, staff turnover, and communication issues with offensive assistants.

There is also a real question of power distribution. Hiring Daboll would require Sirianni to fully relinquish offensive control. That kind of autonomy is something the Eagles have historically been hesitant to grant unless the hires were explicitly brought in to run the show I don’t think Daboll would not accept a role where he is simply collaborating.
Overall Thoughts


If the Eagles want experience, structure, quarterback development, and a coach who can orchestrate an offense without training wheels, Daboll is one of the cleanest fits available. He would raise the floor immediately and should introduce a functional identity. However, the temperament scares me a little. Hiring Daboll is a choice to bring in a strong voice, not a steward. It would require the building to truly be ready for an OC to run the offense and challenge everyone, including the head coach!

[ThoughtProcess]

I was intrigued by McDaniel. Even if he's not yet put pen to paper, I would expect him to do so.

[dawkins20]

As quirky as he is, McDaniel was my #1. Probably went for weather. Not all that excited about Daboll. Just never liked him. At this point, hoping Joe Brady shakes free

[NoDakIggle]

I’m not excited about Daboll. I can just see him and Sirianni blowing up on the sidelines.
I just hope they are casting a wide net. While the regurgitated big names are familiar and sound like solid picks they are regurgitated for a reason. I can remember the Indiana coach Cignetti at little FCS James Madison playing ND State years ago. He was a nobody coach until now when he is admired for his program.
Brady would be good IMM but I just don’t think they get him. I’d like to see someone new. The problem with that is whether there are divas on the Eagles O that won’t accept someone new.

[Pliny]

Yep. Brady and McDaniel are/were far and away my top 2 choices. Daboll is pretty much at the bottom.

[sfphillyfan]

FWIW:

[Russini] The Eagles are conducting their offensive coordinator search with the understanding that Brian Daboll wants the Bills’ head coaching job. If he doesn’t land it, Daboll is expected to wind up in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator for Cam Ward and the Titans, per sources.

[ThoughtProcess]

FWIW:

[Russini] The Eagles are conducting their offensive coordinator search with the understanding that Brian Daboll wants the Bills’ head coaching job. If he doesn’t land it, Daboll is expected to wind up in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator for Cam Ward and the Titans, per sources.

Hmm...so do they look at Brady now?

[ThoughtProcess]

from BGN:

JOE BRADY


Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
Pros


Brady’s scheme blends modern spread passing concepts with heavy use of pre-snap motion, eye-candy, and formation manipulation, but what’s changed over the last two seasons is his adaptability. Under Brady, the Bills had five different players clear 33 receptions, and the offense consistently distributed touches across receivers, backs, and tight ends rather than funneling to a single alpha target. That is particularly useful for a Philadelphia roster that has multiple legitimate weapons and has sometimes been too star-centric.

The evolution of Buffalo’s run game is arguably Brady’s real breakout. He transformed the Bills from a pass-heavy operation into the NFL’s leading rushing offense (2,714 yards) while turning James Cook into a rushing champion and a true multi-phase back. A big part of that shift came through motion. Buffalo showed that Brady’s use of shifts and eye-candy materially improved rushing efficiency and boosted passer rating, particularly on QB-involved run looks. That matters for Hurts, who has historically thrived with designed runs, option constraints, and post-snap leverage advantages rather than pure dropback football. Functionally, Brady has shown he can coach a dual-threat QB at a high level.
Cons


The biggest challenge with Brady isn’t fit, but feasibility. He is one of the hottest names in the hiring cycle and has already drawn head-coaching interviews from multiple organizations, and Buffalo could easily promote him to head coach with Sean McDermott out.

His Carolina stint also lives in the file as a risk note. That history isn’t fatal, but it’s relevant to Philadelphia because a Brady hire would require total alignment between Sirianni and the OC about how committed the offense is to the run game and the QB run game.
Overall Thoughts


Brady represents one of the cleanest schematic fits for what the Eagles need. He would likely get Hurts back into structure and maximize Barkley. However, this feels like a pipe dream this cycle. In another year, or under different circumstances, this might be close to a perfect marriage.

[andrewaters]

I think it's time to pivot to Kliff Kingsbury. I have watched him for years here in Big 12 country. The guy can coach offense IMO.

[ThoughtProcess]

And good ol' Jim Bob...from BGN:

JIM BOB COOTER


Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator
Pros


Cooter brings NFL play-calling experience, true QB development background, and a reputation for tailoring offense to personnel rather than imposing a fixed identity. His Detroit tenure saw Matthew Stafford play some of his most efficient football, and his recent stint with the Colts produced a top-10 offense in both points and yards despite quarterback instability

Cooter is a mechanics-first coach who emphasizes defined footwork, quick game sequencing, and stress-free throws. I think he could coach Hurts in areas where he could benefit.

He also has strong relational equity with Sirianni and a preexisting language overlap, which reduces the transition. There is an argument that Cooter could stabilize the offense without forcing the team into a developmental season.
Cons


The perception problem is legit. Cooter would be seen as a continuity hire in a moment where fans want actual reinvention. There is also a ceiling concern. He is respected, but not considered one of the league’s offensive architects. Hiring Cooter may produce competence but not transformation. His offenses have also skewed toward efficiency over explosiveness.
Overall Thoughts


If the Eagles want a competent veteran who won’t break the offense and can stabilize Hurts, Cooter is one of the safest picks. But if the mandate is to reinvent the offense’s identity, he is unlikely to satisfy that brief. This hire would focus on establishing a functional baseline. It would feel like a Sirianni hire. Which, you may hate…

[ThoughtProcess]

I think it's time to pivot to Kliff Kingsbury. I have watched him for years here in Big 12 country. The guy can coach offense IMO.

He is an intriguing prospect. I wonder what Hurts would be able to do in his scheme. Do you think he will be asked to overlay his scheme over that of Sirianni? The stated knock on him is his fixed scheme, according to his critics. Once figured out, he allegedly doesn't adapt to the defensive adjustments. Don't know how true that is. Also, the alleged reason he wasn't hired before by the Eagles was that he wanted his own staff, which would have meant Stoutland being shown the door at the time. I don't know if that would be an issue again or not.

KLIFF KINGSBURY


Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
Pros


Kingsbury brings real quarterback development experience and a system that gives QBs defined reads and simplified post-snap decisions. His version of the Air Raid leans on spacing, vertical stress, and RPO elements, which are all areas Hurts is comfortable in from his Oklahoma days. He has helped produce productive seasons from Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield in college, and Jaden Daniels within structures that reduce mental load and allow athletic quarterbacks to play fast. It is also worth noting that Hurts has historically been more comfortable in true shotgun spread looks than under-center timing systems, which aligns more closely with Kingsbury’s DNA. He fits Hurts the best out of anyone on this list.

There is also an upside case that Kingsbury offers the quickest “plug-in” solution to get Hurts back into comfort. His scheme can mitigate Hurts’ slower middle-field processing by creating cleaner perimeter reads and conflict targets. And while his reputation took hits in Arizona, his offenses did not collapse because of a lack of ideas, they often plateaued due to injuries.
Cons


The critique is that Kingsbury tends to arrive with a pre-made system and expects players to adapt to it rather than tailoring it to personnel. His offensive evolution appears average year-to-year and NFL defenses seem to catch up to the system in year 2. Kingsbury reportedly wanted to bring his own staff during the previous Eagles OC interview cycle, which was a non-starter given Jeff Stoutland’s presence and the franchise’s preferences regarding staff autonomy.

His offenses have also shown late-season regression, something fans in Arizona have complained about for years. And unlike other candidates, Kingsbury does not bring a proven track record of hybridizing his scheme with other trees. If the Eagles need answers beyond spread/RPO, those adjustments may not come naturally.
Overall Thoughts


Kingsbury represents real offensive upside, the perfect quarterback fit, but real downside if his system doesn’t evolve. He is arguably the best short-term comfort hire for Hurts, but the least proven long-term builder. The question is whether the Eagles want comfort or reinvention. I have convinced myself that this might be a slam-dunk hire for a year. I’m in.