The Eagles continue to evaluate both the NFL and NCAA landscapes in their search for a new defensive coordinator. A pair of candidates are the latest names to be connected to the opening. 
Philadelphia has interviewed Rams defensive backs coach Chris Shula along with Michigan DC Jesse Minter, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (on Twitter). Neither coach had drawn interest for an opening elsewhere so far in the 2023 hiring cycle, but they have added to the growing lost of staffers the Eagles are considering as they try to find Jonathan Gannon‘s replacement.
Shula, 37, is the grandson of Hall of Famer Don Shula and son of former Bengals head coach Dave Shula. He began his NFL coaching career with the Chargers in 2015, spending two years there. He moved on to the Rams in 2017, becoming a member of Sean McVay‘s first Los Angeles staff after playing under him in college. Shula worked with the team’s linebackers for his first five seasons, but in 2022 was given the new title of DBs coach along with passing game coordinator.
Minter, meanwhile, has primarily worked in the college ranks throughout his coaching career. The 39-year-old’s first and only NFL gig to date came in Baltimore beginning in 2017. He was hired as a defensive assistant that year, and later spent time as assistant, then full-time defensive backs coach of the Ravens. In 2021, he returned to NCAA sidelines with Vanderbilt, leading him to the Wolverines this past season. Michigan’s defense played a key role in their second straight Big Ten championship and CFP appearance this season. That has understandably put Minter back on the NFL radar.
The Eagles not only lost Gannon as coordinator after two seasons, but they face the possibility of losing a number of defensives starters in free agency this offseason. That includes several members of their secondary, though keeping C.J. Gardner-Johnson is expected to be a priority. Targeting staffers with experience as defensive backs coaches would make sense in their attempt to re-tool that unit heading into 2023.
Here is an updated breakdown of the Eagles’ search:
- Sean Desai, defensive assistant (Seahawks): Interview requested
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Cardinals): Team interested
- Jim Leonhard, defensive coordinator (Wisconsin): Interviewed
- Jesse Minter, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Interviewed
- Chris Shula, defensive backs coach (Rams): Interviewed
- Dennard Wilson, defensive backs coach (Eagles): Mentioned as candidate
I’d really like to see Joseph get the DC job in Philly. Nick really could use some more experienced coaches on the sideline.
I am hopeful they will interview Bengals current LB coach and former DC with Arizona and NY Giants James Bettcher. Bettcher will bring a more complex scheme that will better hide coverages that plays better against the elite QBs than the Eagles plan that Gannon ran. Bengals D per PFF had best rating against QBs in 2022 season.
Should be a much sought after position, they shouldn’t be having a hard time finding qualified candidates.
I believe the lag has more to do with getting permission from current teams and less to do about interest.
There’s a difference between having a hard time finding a candidate and doing due diligence and bending as many ears as possible. And Chris Shula makes a lot of sense considering his first job was on the same Chargers staff as Nick Sirianni, which the article failed to mention.