Stoutland likes what he sees on offensive line
Jeff Stoutland has coached the Eagles’ offensive line since Chip Kelly arrived in 2013. A resident of Wallingford, he has more Delco running through his veins than Kate Winslett in “Mare of Easttown.”
When Doug Pederson was fired in January following a 4-11-1 season, the first time in three years the Eagles failed to reach the playoffs, it looked like Stoutland would exit, too.
Stoutland had one foot out the door according to reports that he would rejoin Nick Saban at Alabama.
Thirty-eight years in the coaching business told Stoutland how to play defense. During his preseason availability Wednesday on Zoom, he basically said nothing to see here before conceding the benefits of sticking around far outweighed a getaway.
“I really love coaching in the NFL,” Stoutland said. “But most importantly I love working for the Philadelphia Eagles and I mean that sincerely. I love the town, I love the city, I love everything about it. Plus, my wife, Alice, she was like, ‘see you, whatever. I’m not going anywhere because this is our home.’
“Not that I even had that (Alabama) conversation but if I was going to go back to college football, that’s where I would go.”
Stoutland, 59, is the second-oldest coach on one of the youngest staffs in the NFL. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni turns 40 next week. Much of his coaching staff is under 40. His special teams coach and quarterbacks coach are under 30. Only 61-year-old assistant special teams coordinator Joe Pannunzio is older than Stoutland.
Stoutland has survived three head coaches, including interim Pat Shurmur. The run game coordinator has designed handoffs for Michael Vick, Nick Foles, Sam Bradford, Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts.
Asked for his take on why Pederson iwas let go, and Wentz traded Stoutland reacted like he was being asked to rat out his guys.
“What am I?” Stoutland said. “I don’t know what happened and why Carson … I have no idea. That’s not my lane . ... I know this. I know what I have to do to help Jordan Mailata and Andre Dillard look just like the other guys they’re playing next to . ... ”