Chip Kelly in the words of Ricky Bobby wants to go fast. In a head-scratcher for us fans recently released from the offensive reign of Pat Shurmur as head coach, the Philadelphia Eagles have signed Shurmur to be the team’s offensive coordinator, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Former Browns HC Pat Shurmur is expected to join Chip Kelly’s coaching staff in Philadelphia, likely as Eagles’ offensive coordinator.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2013
For a first time head coach like Kelly, it’s important to have experienced coordinators who may even have some head coaching experience to help the coach along. Shurmur went 9-23 in his two seasons in Cleveland and was fired following the team’s season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 24-10 loss. Prior to that, he was the offensive coordinator in St. Louis for two seasons with quarterback Sam Bradford after being the Eagles’ quarterback coach under Andy Reid from 2002-2008 and tight ends coach from 1999-2001.
Kelly, you will recall, interviewed with the Browns, Bills, and Eagles for their head coaching opening prior to originally deciding to remain at Oregon before changing his mind and heading to Philadelphia.
Shurmur had reportedly talked to the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets about their offensive coordinator vacancies as well.
Related: Chud, Norv, Horton, and Lombardi: The Future’s In Their Hands


