Nick Sirianni has taken back full control of the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff. On Wednesday, he promoted Kevin Patullo, his longtime assistant, from passing game coordinator and associate head coach to offensive coordinator. He also brought in another former assistant, Parks Frazier, from the Miami Dolphins to replace Patullo’s previous role.
Sirianni has been through a lot in the past year. After a rough end to the 2023 season, there were questions about whether he would keep his job. The Eagles had collapsed late in the season, suffered an embarrassing playoff loss, and struggled with coaching decisions. However, instead of being fired, Sirianni accepted a lesser role and made adjustments to his staff. Now, he is back in charge.
Patullo has been a trusted assistant for years. He was seen as an important part of the coaching team when Sirianni first arrived in Philadelphia. Both Sirianni and Patullo share similar backgrounds—they were both college wide receivers, are the same age, and have worked together for a long time. With Kellen Moore, the previous offensive coordinator, leaving for a head coaching job with the New Orleans Saints, it was an easy decision for Sirianni to promote Patullo.
The Eagles say they followed the Rooney Rule by interviewing at least two minority or female candidates for the position, though they did not release the names. Some had speculated that former Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich could return, but the team was never seriously considering him for the coordinator job. However, Reich could still join the staff in another role.
This move marks a major shift for Sirianni, who lost some control last year when owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman brought in Moore to run the offence and Vic Fangio to run the defence. While Fangio remains in charge of the defence, the offence now belongs to Sirianni and Patullo.
Sirianni’s coaching history has been a mix of highs and lows. When he was hired in 2021, few outside of the Eagles organization had heard of him. He was an unproven offensive coordinator from Indianapolis, and some questioned whether he was the right choice.
However, he quickly proved himself by leading the team to a Super Bowl appearance in just his second season. His ability to connect with players and build strong coaching relationships helped him succeed.
His first coaching staff was highly regarded, with Jonathan Gannon as defensive coordinator and Shane Steichen as offensive coordinator. Both of them eventually left for head coaching jobs, and when Sirianni had to replace them, the results were disappointing.
The defence struggled under Sean Desai and later Matt Patricia, and the offence took a step back under Brian Johnson. After the season ended, all three were let go, but Sirianni kept his job, agreeing to changes in his responsibilities.
With the 2024 season approaching, Sirianni now has a fresh start. His promotion of Patullo shows that he wants to work with coaches he trusts. Patullo has been by his side for years, and their familiarity should bring stability to the offence. However, questions remain about how much of Kellen Moore’s offensive system will stay in place and how much control Sirianni will take in play-calling.
Sirianni is entering the final year of his contract, which pays him $7 million per year. A contract extension is expected soon, likely increasing his salary significantly. This could mean even more power and control for Sirianni in the future.
The Eagles have made it clear that Fangio will continue to lead the defence without interference. But with Patullo taking over the offence, the dynamic between him and Sirianni will be key. Will Patullo truly run the offence, or will Sirianni step in more than before? It’s a question that will only be answered as the season unfolds.
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