McDermott has been with the Eagles since 1998 and spent two years as the Eagles defensive coordinator after taking over for the late Jim Johnson in 2009. He did an adequate job with the defense as he tried to stick to the same formula that Johnson successfully used for several years. After their defensive failures in the red zone this season and their inability to stop the run in the playoffs, however, McDermott had to know that his chances of retaining his job would be slim.
As for who will replace McDermott, the smart money is on current Eagles secondary coach Dick Jauron. With the Browns reportedly looking to hire Jauron to be their defensive coordinator, the Eagles probably have to promote him if they want to keep him around.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Eagles fire Sean McDermott; enter Dick Jauron?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Eagles add Dick Jauron to the coaching staff
The Eagles will sure have one overqualified defensive backs coach. Dick Jauron, who was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills for the last four years before being fired, has been named the Eagles new secondary coach. While the move appears to be a big demotion for Jauron, he is likely taking the job so he can work with Andy Reid again, whom Jauron assisted with in Green Bay in the early 90's.
Jauron, who has a career head coaching record of 60-82 in 10 seasons with the Bills, Lions and Bears, will be given the task of shoring up a secondary that, given all of their talent, underachieved last season. Hopefully Jauron's experience playing free safety in the NFL can influence Macho Harris and make him into a reliable football player. Let's hope he is more successful in this low-stress position coach job than he was as the Bills head man.
Given Jauron's experience and Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott's inexperience, this should be an excellent addition to the coaching staff. Now if he could just get Asante Samuel to tackle somebody...
