Getty Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is being mentioned as a head-coaching candidate.
Jonathan Gannon keeps getting looks for head-coaching jobs around the NFL. The Houston Texans are interested in granting him a second interview while the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos just completed successful first rounds with Gannon. The Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator is very much a threat to leave the team this offseason.
According to Aaron Wilson, Gannon “knocked it out of the park” in all three of his interviews. There is a growing feeling among league insiders that the confident 39-year-old will get offered a job. Normally, this might cause outrage and disappointment among Eagles fans. But Gannon’s 2021 campaign was far from normal. There were calls to fire him after the first seven weeks. Especially after a falling out with his best defensive player.
Per source, PHI DC Jonathan Gannon did in fact have “great” interview w/Broncos. Yes, only 1-yr DC but he had been blocked a time or 2. His energy/knowledge/leadership has impressed teams. Paton knew him from 4 yrs in MIN. Gannon emerging as darkhouse around league. #9sports
But Gannon righted the ship after that incredibly disappointing start. Philadelphia finished 10th in overall defense: 328.8 yards per game (107.8 rushing, 220.9 passing). The Eagles ranked eighth-best in yards per play (5.2) and 18th-best in points allowed (22.6). However, the issues in the red zone were well-documented all year and the unit gave up 46 total touchdowns. It was certainly an up and down year.
Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has made extremely strong impression on the Texans with league sources saying Gannon ‘knocked it out of the park’ in interviews with them, Broncos and Vikings. Very well-prepared, per sources. Regarded as very strong contender
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Eagles Twitter Happy to See Gannon Go
Despite a warning from one trusted Eagles reporter, the majority of diehard fans won’t lose any sleep over Gannon leaving town. They felt his “scheme-less” scheme was a tired act, one that often employed a soft Cover 2 shell and gave up huge chunks of yardage to opposing quarterbacks.
There are a plethora of top defensive coordinators available on the open market, too. Fired defensive-minded head coaches like Vic Fangio, Brian Flores, Mike Zimmer all jump to mind. The Eagles are also very high on their own defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson who Darius Slay hyped up for a defensive coordinator job. Some feel Gannon’s departure could actually be a blessing in disguise.
Spent the morning thinking about Jonathan Gannon, head coach of the Houston Texans, and Mike Zimmer/Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles
Do you think this came up in Jonathan Gannon’s interviews?
ATTN @Broncos, @Vikings, & @texans:
If you need recommendations for Jonathan Gannon for HC, we have #Eagles CB Steven Nelson explaining Gannon’s “GENIUS” defensive scheme to @MarcFarzetta 😅
(PS please ignore all negative Gannon in-season tweets)
Someone hire this man ASAP!
If you want to give Gannon another year in Philly that’s fine, but if it turns out he’s actually competent and defense gets better, he’s 100 % gone next offseason anyway.
Getting a former HC, proven to be a good DC, probably provides the most long term stability.
#Eagles
Nick Sirianni Backs Defensive Coordinator
Nick Sirianni would prefer to retain Gannon for the 2022 campaign, but he’s not going to block him from being a head coach. The Eagles head coach has known Gannon since 2018 when they worked together as assistants for the Indianapolis Colts. Their relationship is rock solid and Sirianni believes strongly in his friend’s ability to lead his own locker room.
“Obviously, I would never want to lose Coach Gannon, but I think he’s more than ready to be a head football coach and he has all the qualities that you need,” Sirianni told reporters on January 14. “I have so much confidence in him and so much faith in him, and I believe in him in the job that he can do as a football coach. I think he’d be a great head football coach in the NFL.”
Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon on Fletcher Cox’s frustration with D and wanting to be more aggressive
“He’s got good points. I need to do a better job of that with him. He’s had some very good ideas… it’s up to us as the coaches to get that done and execute those things”
Gannon has already been given the green light to puruse head-coaching opportunites from the Eagles’ front office. Stay tuned.
“I’ll sit down with Howie [Roseman] and Nick [Sirianni] and we’ll talk about that when the time comes,” Gannon said.
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Eagles Twitter Reacts to Jonathan Gannon Possibly Leaving