Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is no stranger to abrupt coaching changes, having left the Philadelphia Eagles after a successful run through the early 2000s before finding his way to Kansas City.
This week, the legendary coach was able to share some of his perspective with another NFL coach who found himself suddenly — though briefly — unemployed. An NFL insider reported that Reid spoke with John Harbaugh after his abrupt dismissal by the Baltimore Ravens, sharing some perspective and offering encouragement.
Andy Reid Reaches Out to Longtime Friend
As SI.com’s Zak Gilbert noted, Harbaugh called Reid this week to get his perspective on how to handle the job transition. Harbaugh and Reid have some longstanding connections that the suddenly former Ravens coach used to get some advice on where to go next.
“According to insider Gary Myers, Reid was one of Harbaugh’s first phone calls after Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti fired his only head coach since 2008,” Gilbert wrote. “Harbaugh’s family has long respected Reid and Harbaugh served on Reid’s Philadelphia staff for eight years (1999-2007) before taking the Ravens job.”
Harbaugh didn’t stay unemployed for long, quickly landing as the next head coach of the New York Giants. While it’s not clear if Reid advised Harbaugh to take the job, Gilbert noted that the Chiefs coach was a valuable resource.
“Myers also noted that Reid’s perspective was important to Harbaugh, an encouragement after such a long and successful tenure leading one franchise,” Gilbert wrote.
“Reid was in a similar situation 13 years ago this month. Since the Ravens let him go Jan. 6, Harbaugh was the league’s most sought-after coaching candidate, just as Reid was after the Eagles ended his tenure following the 2012 season. And just as the Mara family set its sights on Harbaugh, Clark Hunt set his sights on Reid.”
Harbaugh was fired despite some extended success with the Ravens, having led the team to a Super Bowl in 2013.
Chiefs Face Their Own Coaching Decision
The Chiefs could face some coaching transitions this offseason as offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has become a hot candidate for a head coaching position. Nagy has several interviews, leading quarterback Patrick Mahomes to offer his coordinator a ringing endorsement.
“I love (Offensive Coordinator) Coach (Matt) Nagy, and he’s done a lot of great things in my career to help me become the quarterback that I am,” Mahomes told reporters this week, via AtoZ Sports. “I know that he’s looking to take that step and get back to the head coaching spot, and I hope he gets another opportunity to do that. He’s a great man, a great person, and it’s been cool to see the changes to him as a coach and him going to be a head coach and then coming back, but he gave me a lot of ideas to be better as a person (and) as a quarterback and so I’m hoping the best for him as he goes through this head coaching process and he gets another opportunity to go out there and lead an organization.”
Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Helped John Harbaugh After Surprise Ravens Firing