The Philadelphia Eagles are now just one day away from their season opener. For Nick Sirianni, his Head Coaching debut has almost arrived and there was only really one person he’d turn to for a chat before the big day – the man who helped shape his coaching career, Frank Reich.
Having worked under Frank Reich extensively with both the Chargers and Colts, the decision to hire Sirianni did feel like a way to try and get as close to hiring the former Eagles offensive coordinator as possible, keeping the same basic principles, coaching style, and offense. While it’s clear that Sirianni is doing things his way, being able to turn to the man who helped bring the Eagles a Super Bowl for advice is always a bonus, as he alluded to on Friday.
I was on the phone with Frank yesterday, I was on the phone with Frank the day before that too on the way home. I might have talked to him a little bit more this week than I talked to my wife.
As for what was said in these conversations, that will obviously remain a mystery, but the 40-year-old did mention they cover everything from X’s and O’s To general life conversations. He made it clear that he looks up to the man who was in a similar position to Sirianni himself not too long ago.
I can’t say enough good things about him. Shoot, I know the city can’t either, right? You guys won a Super Bowl with him as offensive coordinator. He’s like a big brother to me. Again, it’s just not football things. It’s super helpful to have that.
I think you ask anybody in life, to be able to talk through things, problems, good times, bad times, whatever, situations you’re going through, everybody needs somebody like that. I’m just lucky that I have somebody like that in Frank.
It’s nice to see how close the two still are despite having gone in different directions. The two franchises will forever be intertwined after the blockbuster Carson Wentz trade this offseason, but there is a much nicer tangent connecting the two that wont illicit enraged debates on Twitter. Frank Reich is coaching the Colts, and his protege, Nick Sirianni, is looking to finish what he started in Philadelphia.
Reich is beloved in Philly and his departure stung. Knowing how highly Nick Sirianni views the coach who has helped him carve an NFL coaching career is certainly wholesome to hear. He could very easily have just cut ties and done his own thing. We know that Doug Pederson falls from the Andy Reid coaching tree and communication between the two was regular, but this just feels a little more wholesome…and it’s something fans will love to hear.
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
