Longtime Eagles assistant Duce Staley has requested a release from his contract, as John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia was first to report (Twitter link). As Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94 WIP writes, it’s unclear if the team will honor the request, but it seems likely that Staley will be permitted to move on.
Staley, a former running back, was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 1997 draft. He spent the first seven seasons of his playing career in Philly, cracking the 1,000-yard barrier three times. He rejoined the club as a coaching intern in 2010 and has served as the running backs coach since 2013. However, it appears as though his career trajectory has hit its peak in Philadelphia.
Staley, who will turn 46 next month, has been passed over for promotion multiple times in recent years. He interviewed for the team’s head coaching gig in 2016, a job that ultimately went to Doug Pederson, and he interviewed for the HC post again this year, after Pederson’s dismissal. The Eagles elected to hire Nick Sirianni instead, and it does not appear that Sirianni is interested in promoting Staley to offensive coordinator.
Staley was also passed over for the OC post in 2018, when Pederson promoted Mike Groh. Staley was given the additional title of assistant head coach that year, but his frustration is understandable. He obviously believes he will get another job elsewhere, one that comes with an immediate promotion or at least a better opportunity at advancement.
We heard recently that the Bears are interested in adding Staley to their staff, and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network says the Lions have interest as well (Twitter link). He would be a good get for either club, as he has done a terrific job with the Eagles’ RBs and is a popular locker room figure.
Come on back to Pittsburgh as the OC Duce!
Pretty sure he is going to Chicago
Detroit.
It is so dumb how the Eagles have continued to disrespect him. He is a beloved coach by his players, other staff, and the Eagles fanbase. All reports about him are he is an incredibly hard worker, smart offensive mind, and a true leader. A bunch of players have talked about wanting him as their OC or head coach.
Honestly, I think the ownership and GM don’t give him the proper respect because he was a running back and the RB coach. For some reason that means in today’s passing game he would run the ball too much I guess. I don’t buy that at all. When it was reported that Sirianni was hired as head coach I said they needed to treat Duce right and give him OC. Now they are losing a great coach and great guy who was good enough to survive 3 head coaching changes.
disrespecting him would be not granting his release. as far as I’m concerned, not promoting him was like not promoting Greg Ward earlier. they were able to somewhat hide him in the RBC position so they could keep him on the staff without having to promote him. granted it wasnt helping his career, so hence asking to be released. but i wouldnt say simply not promoting him was rude. they gave him a HC interview and probably would have given him a shot to claim the OC role if he stuck around.
Gonna miss Duce. Didn’t think he should be the eagles HC, but didn’t want him to leave but seems that’s what is going to be the end result.
Told you all on the other post he was done with the Eagles.
you know those sayings about broken clocks and blind squirrels?
This doesn’t mean he is done with Philly, they could promote him to Offensive Coordinator.
He’s done. He’s been there ten years, and keeps getting by-passed for promotions. He already could have been given OC but he was snubbed for that.
At some point, you realize you are nothing more than middle management to people. The AHC title was just a way to placate him. He’s had enough.
The only thing I don’t get is often timed assistants are hired under contract but it’s usually done in that order. Typically the team comes calling asking for permission to interview them then if hired they are released. I’m not familiar with an assistant seeking release without a job in place
“Teams can interview any assistant coaches from other teams who are not in the playoffs. They must, however, request permission if a coach is under contract with another team.
Teams can block a candidate from interviewing for a position that would be a lateral move, but can’t stop assistant coaches from interviewing for a position that is a promotion.”
Duce has clearly shown he’s a team player so he will likely get an OC offer eventually. Just needs to gain some experience with another organization and get more supporters outside of Philly.