Nick Sirianni Was Once Fired By Andy Reid

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A decade ago, AFC Champion head coach Andy Reid was just another former coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, and NFC Champion head coach Nick Sirianni was one of countless dozens of advisors and assistants who was facing the prospect of unemployment.

The Birds let Reid go after the 2012 season and he took over the Kansas City Chiefs, inheriting a coaching staff but desiring to bring with him his own longtime trusted assistants. He had to make the tough choice to clean house in Kansas City. And among those casualities: Sirianni.

Sirianni, just 31 at the time, had just been promoted to the Chiefs wide receivers coach. The long career arc that would take him to the Super Bowl with the Birds was just beginning. And others knew it.

"When I came here I was told Nick Sirianni is, this guy really is a special coach," Reid told reporters, including CBS News. "This guy is really a good football coach."

But Reid had to make a tough call.

"Ted Crews was really his biggest fan at that time and just said this guy is really good. But I had David (Culley), David was my assistant coach," Reid added. "He had been with me for 14 years, so he was coming with me and I had to make that determination to keep Nick or not. I knew being as good as he was, his reputation, he was going to get something."

He did, immediately. Sirianni became the quarterbacks and then wide receivers coach with the San Diego Chargers, before landing the role of offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts. His success in Indianapolis and the reputation he developed there drew the attention of front offices around the league, including Howie Roseman in Philly.

The rest is history.

But it all started with the Birds decision to let Reid go back in 2012. That set the stage for Reid, one of the most successful coaches in Eagles franchise history, to thrive in a new home in Kansas City, and nudged Sirianni onto a path that led straight to South Philadelphia.

For his part, Sirianni said he "admired" how Reid handled the process, letting him know quickly so that he had plenty of time to find a new gig. Sirianni met his wife in Kansas City and told Sports Illustrated that it will "always be a special place."

"I made some good friends there, as well," he added.

"None of which I would assume are rooting for us or our family this weekend. But that's okay."