The Eagles' 17-day coach search took longer than 17 days. It commenced even before Chip Kelly's abrupt dismissal on Dec. 29.
The research began late in the season, when owner Jeffrey Lurie first contemplated making a coaching change. While Kelly coached his final weeks with the team, Lurie gathered information about potential replacements.
"I've always been one to feel you have to have research started long before you ever make a final decision, because that research is the key," Lurie said. "You've got to do the legwork or you're going to be making [the decision] off of [just the big] names.