April 20, 2023   4 MIN READ

Pat’s Outta The Bag

Birds Say Matt Patricia Joining Staff; Announce Other Coaching Moves

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The staff reshuffle continues for the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles following the exits and new hirings of both the offensive and defensive coordinator.

On Thursday afternoon, the Eagles made more official announcements to their 2023 coaching staff.

Not on the list, yet the most notable addition of all, was the hiring of Matt Patricia as senior defensive assistant.

Head coach Nick Sirianni said Thursday in a press conference that the Eagles were “trending in that direction” of adding Patricia.

His answer was in response to reports that Patricia had joined the Eagles’ staff.

Matt Patricia

After spending 2022 as the Patriots offensive play caller, Matt Patricia returns to his defensive roots as a Senior Defensive Assistant with the Eagles

Patricia, who holds 19 years of NFL coaching experience on both sides of the ball, was in the loop as a name to watch to join the Eagles’ coaching staff.

“Obviously, his resume speaks for itself,” Sirianni said. “It gives you a great mind in there that’s done it at the highest level, and so it gives you great ability to bounce ideas off of with the defensive staff.

“Then also it gives me another former head coach that I can bounce ideas off of, as well, with things, which I think will be very helpful.”

Patricia, who won three Super Bowl with the Patriots, spent the 2022 season as the Pats’ de-facto offensive coordinator and primary play caller.

Along with winning three titles with New England while serving as defensive coordinator from 2012-17, Patricia is also infamous for his tumultuous tenure as head coach of the Detroit Lions, where he notably butted heads with All-Pro CB Darius Slay before his trade to the Eagles.

Sirianni said he spoke with Slay about Patricia’s addition and expects “a good working relationship” when the Eagles reconvene.

Among the additional changes announced were the promotion of D.K. McDonald to defensive backs coach and the hiring of Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Taver Johnson and Nickelbacks Coach Ronell Williams. Both new hires had been previously reported.

Kevin Patullo, who has served as Sirianni’s right hand man, has been given the title of Associate Head Coach in addition to his role as passing game coordinator.

Patullo’s title is similar, but different, to the running backs coach Jemal Singleton, who is also the team’s assistant head coach – another indication that the NFL trend of adding special titles to assistants is really just another mechanism for giving pay raises more than added responsibilities.

“Kevin’s role will stay very similar. I just wanted to recognize Kevin for all the things that he does to help me with day-to-day operations as a head coach,” Sirianni said. “He’s done a lot. Obviously, Jemal does a lot, and I didn’t want to call them both assistant head coaches, so associate head coach name was out there, and I was able to use that.

“Some teams have both of those. Kevin’s role changes none on the offensive side of the football. He’s still going to do what he has been doing for the past two years. Just wanted to recognize him for the job that he’s done to help me with everything.”

These new hires join the newly-promoted OC Brian Johnson and recently-hired DC Sean Desai as part of a revamped coaching staff for the 2023 season.

– Benjamin Paul is a staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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