The Eagles really dodged a bullet by avoiding Ben McAdoo
After less than two seasons with the New York Giants, Ben McAdoo is officially out of a job. And to think he was almost the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach.
Sometimes, it’s the signing you don’t make that really matter, and for the Philadelphia Eagles, the team’s selection of Doug Pederson over Ben McAdoo in 2016 could ultimately be the difference between establishing a new dynasty in South Philly and consistently wading in the dredges of mediocracy.
When then coaches Tom Coughlin and Chip Kelly were both relieved of their duties following the 2015 NFL season, New York Giants‘ offensive coordinator McAdoo became the top name on both team’s coaching wishlist, and at the time, it made sense.
Mcadoo was the architect of some pretty darn good offenses over the years and helped to establish Odell Beckham Jr as one of the leagues premier receivers. His take on the West Coast offense was in high demand and ultimately garnered him a four-year contract with the Giants, his first choice over the Eagles.
And in his first season with the team, McAdoo actually put together a fairly competent product. While his team was never particularly good on the offensive side of the ball, finishing the season ranked 25th in the league, the team made the playoffs as a wild card largely due to the strength of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo‘s 10th ranked defense. Even though the team lost in the first round of the playoffs, in a game now notorious for shirtless boat pictures, expectations were high for McAdoo season two.
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But alas, things took an ugly turn.
This season, the Giants have been an absolute mess, losing all but two of their games, having multiple players suspended for disobeying team rules, and eventually benching Eli Manning after 210 consecutive starts in favor of Geno Smith.
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After essentially alienating his entire fanbase, McAdoo was fired by owner John Mora after the team’s ugly loss to the Oakland Raiders. Much like the hiring of Dirk Koetter in Tampa Bay, many in New York thought that they had to promote their offensive coordinator to maintain their offensive continuity, but much like the trainwreck that has been the Buccaneers this season, the Giants quickly found out that McAdoo was a great coordinator, but a horrible head coach.
Being a head coach in the NFL is about much more than the X’s and O’s, it’s about inspiring men, a trait that McAdoo simply doesn’t appear to have.
When contrasted to how Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson has not only inspired his players so far this season but also quickly established a team first, winning atmosphere in the City of Brotherly Love, it’s no wonder McAdoo was fired. He lost his locker room, and when you’ve lost the respect of your players, it’s incredibly hard to get them to run through a wall for you.
While Pederson was initially viewed as a consolation prize or gasp, dare I say an afterthought, he’s quickly turned the team around and built a quality young core who will likely be competing for championships for the next decade plus, instead of simply trying to put bandages on fatal flaws.
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Going into 2018, the Giants will be looking for a new head coach, a new starting quarterback, and a general manager, with a lengthy rebuild likely in their future. Man, it’s a great to be an Eagles fan.