Philadelphia Eagles Coach Not Winging It: This Week In Philly Sports

PHILADELPHIA, PA —The team was 2-2 on its bye week early in the season. And the Philadelphia Eagles sports media was calling for his head after some silly situations involving shouting at fans and bringing his children to the podium following a game.

After last season's monumental collapse and fast playoff exit after a 10-1 start, Nick Sirianni's future as Eagles coach looked as bleak as this winter's weather.

Now look where we are.

Sirianni has the Eagles in the Super Bowl for the second time in three years and has built a strong record of success.

The statistics are mind-boggling: Two Super Bowl appearances, four straight playoff showings, and the highest winning percentage of any coach in the National Football League.

You might mention Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid as having those credentials.

But these all belong to Sirianni.

Despite the playoff credentials and Super Bowl appearances, Sirianni has been called a clown by Philly media and fans.

He was criticized early in the season as someone who has no job responsibilities with having two experienced coordinators and was serving as a lame duck before the team moved on after last season's late collapse.

Yet the Steelers' Mike Tomlin, Ravens' John Harbough, and Lions' Dan Campbell are recognized around the league as strong coaches who lead their teams despite not being signal callers.

Sirianni doesn't get that respect.

But look at what he has done this year. He restored his status with sound leadership and building around stud Running Back Saquon Barkley. The team went 13-1 after coming out of the Bye Week.

You don't get much better than that.

So what happens if he wins Super Bowl LIX Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs?

Former Birds Coach Doug Pederson is a legend and always will be in Philadelphia for winning the franchise's only Super Bowl so far.

Andy Reid might become recognized as the greatest coach in NFL history or at least right there with Bill Belichick, Vince Lombardi, and Don Shula.

Reid had lots of success as the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, going to the Super Bowl once and four NFC Championship games.

But Sirianni can do something Reid never achieved in Philadelphia: He can become a Super Bowl winner.

Does that put him over Pederson? Maybe, maybe not.

But a win on Sunday seals the deal for him. It puts him on the Mount Rushmore on Philadelphia Eagles coaches.

Say what you want about Sirianni but he is here to stay. He will be getting a contract extension from Owner Jeffrey Lurie for the work he accomplished this season.

Wouldn't those accomplishments be much sweeter with a Super Bowl victory Sunday?