DeFilippo reconnects to his Delco roots

PHILADELPHIA » Made in County.

You could practically see the Delco brand stamped on a very distinguished looking group of coaches huddling with Eagles assistant John DeFilippo at the end of Birds training camp Thursday.

Attending the morning practice were Joe Gallagher, Tom Ryan, Jeff Cerbus and John Anderson. Ryan is the head coach at Radnor, where DeFilippo played quarterback in 1993-94.

Gallagher, the head man at Haverford High, coached against “Flip” in the Central League. Anderson and Cerbus coach at Ridley.

“It’s awesome to be here,” Gallagher said. “Especially with the local flavor. That’s a kid I coached against in the 90’s. It’s just awesome. I’m proud of him. He’s a Delco guy.”

It’s been a week of reunions for DeFilippo, the Birds’ quarterbacks coach. Earlier this week he welcomed his pop to practice. Gene DeFilippo was the athletic director at Villanova from 1993-97.

Gallagher said John DeFilippo stood out when his Fords faced Radnor back in the day. Delaware

“He was one of the best guys on that team,” Gallagher said. “On a team that at times struggled, he always kept them in the game. He was that good.”

DeFilippo, 39, remembers the Fords … and how he felt after playing them.

“Always really tough football teams,” DeFilippo said. “You always knew the next day you were going to feel it. You knew you had played Haverford.”

Ryan said that after he got the job at Radnor, DeFilippo reached out to him and his quarterback, Tyler Anderson. DeFilippo was with the Oakland Raiders then.

“I saw John at clinics and when John got the job here, we reconnected,” Ryan said. “John’s been great for Radnor. We’re proud of him and are glad to come down and watch practice.”

The Eagles thought enough of DeFilippo, who has been grooming Carson Wentz, to block him from interviewing for an offensive coordinator position with the Jets. If the Eagles do what they think they can do this season, there will be other opportunities.

“I’m thinking big things for them,” Gallagher said. “There’s an atmosphere of togetherness here. I’m encouraged. I expect big things.”