It was a HUGE day yesterday for the NFL Coaching Carousel with three head coaching slots and one general manager position filled over the course of the day. We're here to recap things with our NFL Coaching: News, Rumors And Recapping A BIG Thursday.
49ers Hire Chip Kelly
The 49ers hired former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly to the same position on Thursday morning, picking him over fellow finalist Mike Shanahan.
Kelly replaces the fired Jim Tomsula, who lasted only one season with the team. Kelly himself was fired by the Philadelphia Eagles before Week 17 this season. The hiring of Kelly will allow GM Trent Baalke to keep most of the personnel control, which Kelly does not want.
Kelly will now begin the process of putting together a coaching staff. The team interviewed Browns' offensive coordinator John DeFilippo this offseason and he might end up with the job. DeFilippo played under Kelly at New Hampshire.
The 49ers will also need to make a decision at quarterback. Both Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert appear to be fits for Kelly's system. However, Kaepernick struggled last season and has a large cap hit. The team could potentially draft a QB as well.
Eagles Land Pederson
The Philadelphia Eagles have found their next head coach, as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson is expected to take over in Philly, per Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Pederson’s still busy coaching the Chiefs' offense in the NFL Playoffs, but the Eagles officially announced that their interview process has concluded after word leaked out about the Pederson hire -- neither officially confirming or denying Bowen's report.
"We have concluded our search for a head coach," a team statement said. "No further interviews are scheduled.”
A friend of Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid from their time in Green Bay, Reid signed Pederson to a one-year deal with the Eagles in 1999. He started nine games, winning two before Donovan McNabb took over. Pederson would move on and become Brett Favre's backup in Green Bay through 2004.
Pederson return to Philly as a quality-control assistant under Reid in 2009 before being promoted to quarterbacks coach. He followed Reid to Kansas City after the Eagles cleaned house after the 2012 season.
Bucs Tab Koetter
The Tampa Bay Bucs, as expected, promoted offensive coordinator Doug Koetter to head coach as former boss Lovie Smith's replacement, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
On Wednesday, reports surfaced that Koetter was telling coaches on staff that he would be the team's next head coach. It was later revealed that negotiations hadn't officially started yet, but it appears that was just a formality.
Koetter has served as an offensive coordinator at three different NFL stops, starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2007-11), before moving to the Atlanta Falcons (2012-14) and finally the Bucs (2015). He also has nine years of college head coaching experience to his credit, posting a 66-44 combined record with a 4-2 bowl mark at Boise State (1998-2000) and Arizona State (2001-06).
Titans Hire Jon Robinson To Fill GM Slot
Tennessee made the first of three franchise-defining decisions on Thursday, hiring former Bucs director of player personnel Jon Robinson as Ruston Webster's replacement in the general manager chair.
Robinson held his director label in Tampa for the past two years, while also overseeing the team's pro and college scouting departments. Before that, Robinson spent 12 years with the New England Patriots -- including a stint as director of college scouting from 2009-13.
He's expected to play a key role in the Titans' current search for a head coach. Interim HC Mike Mularkey remains the favorite, although defensive coordinator Ray Horton will also interview.
Robinson and the team's next coach will have a huge decision on their hands with the #1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft in the franchise's possession.
Joe Philbin Lands In Indy
Former Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin will not be without an NFL job next season, as the Indianapolis Colts have tabbed him as their new offensive line coach.
A report surfaced on Friday morning which claimed that Philbin was headed to the New York Giants to work under new head coach Ben McAdoo, but the Colts ultimately won out for his services.
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