Andy Reid is out after 14 years coaching the Philadelphia Eagles, three people familiar with the decision told The Associated Press following Sunday’s 42-7 season-ending loss to the New York Giants.
Andy Reid is the winningest coach in Eagles franchise history. Since Reid’s arrival in Philadelphia in 1999, the Eagles have recorded 130 regular-season wins, the NFL’s sixth-highest total in that span. Philadelphia also had 10 postseason wins, the third-most since 1999, and claimed six division titles, also the third-most, under Reid.
CSNPhilly.com earlier reported that Reid would be out as coach.
Reid and team owner Jeffrey Lurie are scheduled to meet Monday, and a team official insisted to ESPN that Reid has yet to be informed that he will be fired.
Another Eagles source told ESPN that Lurie and Reid met Friday, but the Eagles’ owner did not inform him at that time that he would be let go.
“I go in eyes wide open,” Reid said after Sunday’s loss dropped the Eagles to a 4-12 season. “Either way, I understand. Whatever he chooses will be the right thing. He always does things for the best interests of the Eagles.”
Asked if he wants to return in 2013, Reid said: “I’m all in.”
Reid is due to make $6 million in 2013 in the final year of his contract. He said he wants to coach next year, but it’s possible Lurie could persuade him to take a year off and perhaps help out in the front office in an “advisory” role.
Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko denied several reports that Lurie has already fired Reid, saying it’s “absolutely, 100 percent” untrue.
Sources told us that Reid is preparing to coach elsewhere next season in case he is no longer with the Eagles.
He has been calling around the league, trying to put together a coaching staff, so that if and when he is let go in Philadelphia, he will be ready to resume coaching for another franchise next season.
Some around the league have wondered whether Reid would be a fit back in California, where he grew up, but the San Diego Chargers are planning to go in other directions than Reid, according to league sources.
Although he is not expected to be a candidate with the Chargers, Reid could wind up as a candidate in Jacksonville if the Jaguars fire Mike Mularkey or in Arizona if the Cardinals part ways with coach Ken Whisenhunt.
The 54-year-old Reid, who was hired to coach the Eagles in 1999, is 130-93-1 in 14 seasons with the franchise.
Under Reid, the Eagles have made nine playoff appearances, won six division titles, played in five NFC Championship Games and lost one Super Bowl.
After Sunday’s game, players said they expect changes, but continued to support Reid.
“He’s a great man and I love him to death,” said quarterback Michael Vick, who could’ve played his last game with the Eagles. “I wish I could’ve done more. A lot of players wish they could’ve done more. Coaches can’t play the games.”
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