Originally founded in 1933, the Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. Yet, despite being around for nearly a century, the Eagles have only won four total championships.
Throughout the franchise’s history, Philadelphia has been home to some of the most successful head coaches in the league. Which head coaches will land in the all-time top five for the Eagles?
Ranking the Greatest Coaches in Philadelphia Eagles’ History
There are several head coaches that Eagles fans will likely want to forget ever coached in Philadelphia. Yet, the most successful head coaches in franchise history are never forgotten in the City of Brotherly Love. Simply put, winning there makes you a legend.
One former Eagles head coach even received a statue outside the team’s stadium. Here are the all-time top five head coaches in Philadelphia’s history!
5) Nick Sirianni (2021-Present)
Nick Sirianni reportedly wasn’t Philadelphia’s first choice during the team’s coaching search in 2021. When the Eagles hired him, Sirianni was immediately roasted for his introductory press conference, who appeared to be overwhelmed by his newfound position.
In Sirianni’s first season as head coach, the Eagles got off to a 2-5 regular-season start, and he felt the pressure. Sirianni controversially compared Philadelphia’s players to flowers that were sprouting roots under the soil and was heavily criticized by the national media for his obscure comparison.
While the media and fans bashed Sirianni, the team responded well — finishing the regular season with a 9-8 record and a postseason berth. A year later, in just his second season with the Eagles, Sirianni led Philadelphia to 16 total wins and an appearance in Super Bowl 57.
Despite coaching the Eagles for just three seasons, Sirianni already has the fourth-most playoff wins in franchise history. His winning percentage of .667 is the highest mark in franchise history among head coaches who coached more than two games in Philadelphia.
4) Dick Vermeil (1976-1982)
While most remember Dick Vermeil for winning the Super Bowl with the St. Louis Rams, his first head coaching job in the NFL was with the Eagles. Vermeil was dealt a tough hand to start his tenure in Philadelphia, as the team didn’t have any first-round picks in his first three years.
Yet, after starting his career as the Eagles’ head coach with two losing seasons, Vermeil responded in a major way. Over the next four years, Philadelphia went 42-22 during the regular season and won three playoff games.
Vermeil eventually retired in 1982, following a miserable season that was shortened by the players’ strike. He returned 15 years later, though, to be the Rams’ head coach.
A notable tenure in Philadelphia, Vermeil has the third-most wins and is tied for the third-most playoff wins in franchise history.
3) Doug Pederson (2016-2020)
Like Sirianni, Doug Pederson wasn’t Philadelphia’s top choice during the team’s search for a new head coach in 2016. That offseason, the Eagles were interested in Hue Jackson, Ben McAdoo, and Tom Coughlin for the job.
Philadelphia eventually “settled” on Pederson, who was the best choice after all. While many questioned the Eagles for hiring Pederson, he showed promise during his first season in Philadelphia with a 7-9 record.
Then, in 2017, Pederson and the Eagles ascended to an unexpected level.
Philadelphia went 13-3 during the regular season, securing the top seed in the NFL. Despite losing several starters — including quarterback Carson Wentz — Philadelphia went on a magical run.
Backup quarterback Nick Foles led the underdog Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. Pederson and Foles created one of the biggest plays in NFL history, as the Eagles pulled off the “Philly Special” and fooled the New England Patriots.
Pederson has the fifth-most wins and second-most playoff wins in franchise history.
2) Greasy Neale (1941-1950)
There might not be a more unique figure in sports history than Greasy Neale.
Neale played in the MLB for the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies. He also played professional football in the Ohio League for the Canton Bulldogs, Dayton Triangles, and Massillon Tigers.
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Once Neale’s playing days were over, he coached college and independent football from 1915 to 1940. In 1941, Neale was hired by the Eagles to be the franchise’s head coach. While they got off to a rocky start in his first three seasons, the Eagles heated up in 1944.
Philadelphia finished first or second over the following six seasons, including winning the NFL Championship in 1948 and 1949. Neale is the only head coach to win two championships for the Eagles. He also finished his head coaching career with the second-most wins in franchise history.
1) Andy Reid (1999-2012)
Before Andy Reid reached the top of the mountain with the Kansas City Chiefs, he got his start as a head coach in Philadelphia. Reid was a little-known quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers when Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie hired him as head coach in 1999.
Similar to many of the other best coaches in franchise history, Reid got off to a rocky start in his debut season with the team as Philadelphia went just 5-11 in 1999. However, a losing record in the regular season would prove to be a rare sight during Reid’s tenure as the Eagles’ head coach.
Over the next five seasons, Philadelphia won 11+ games, including a trip to the Super Bowl in 2004. While Reid was unable to win the big game during his Eagles tenure, it was clear that he was the best head coach in franchise history.
Reid eventually moved on to Kansas City, where he’s now won three Super Bowls and cemented himself as one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history. In 14 seasons as Philadelphia’s head coach, Reid only had three losing seasons.
Reid won 130 games during his career as the Eagles’ HC, which is more than twice as many as any other head coach in franchise history. He also won 10 playoff games, another mark that is twice as many as any other Eagles head coach.