Coaching Preview: Andy Reid vs Nick Sirianni
It’s been a little over ten years since Andy Reid fired Nick Sirianni.
Reid had just been hired as the Kansas City Chiefs’ next head coach, and let go of Sirianni, who had been serving as the team’s wide receivers coach at the time.
Just ten years later, the two are set to face off in Super Bowl LVII.
Andy Reid
Reid has been one of the most consistent coaches in the NFL. He became the winningest coach in Eagles history before he got hired by the Chiefs in 2013.
Throughout his 24 years of experience in head coaching, the three-time NFL Coach of the Year ranks fifth all-time in wins and holds a 21-16 postseason record.
As head coach, Reid has taken his team to the Super Bowl four times, three times with the Chiefs and once with the Eagles, winning his first ring in 2019.
Since he got hired in Kansas City, the Chiefs have made the postseason in eight out of his nine seasons, including eight seasons with more than ten wins.
Reid has had a long and successful tenure in the NFL. This experience will prove as a valuable asset when coaching against the younger Nick Sirianni, and he will use that to his advantage.
Reid, widely known for his offensive creativity, is a big reason why the Chiefs have had one of the best passing offenses in the NFL this season.
“Big Red” will look to add a second Lombardi trophy to his already impressive resume.
Nick Sirianni
Before being hired in Philadelphia, Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.
His opening press conference as the Eagles’ new head coach in January of 2021 sparked some doubts and skepticism around the league, but the coach has been nothing short of impressive.
Now in his second season as the head coach of the Eagles, Sirianni has taken the team to the playoffs twice and led the team to an NFC East division title.
Sirianni has played aggressively all season long. He went for it on fourth down 35 times and was successful on 25 of those occasions.
This aggression has been a game-changer for the birds, and the ability to be able to extend drives in crucial situations will be valuable in the big game.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sirianni’s aggression, a facet that was a big part of the Eagles championship team in 2017, continue into Super Bowl LVII.
There have been 11 head coaches who won the Super Bowl in their second season, including the Eagles’ own Doug Pederson, and Sirianni will look to add to that list.
There is a stark difference in experience between these two coaches, with the advantage going to Kansas City.
Both of these coaches are great leaders who coached their teams to a league-best 14-3 record this season.
Experience aside, these two coaches are here for a reason, and they will get a chance to prove it come Sunday night.
Darian Capobianco is a second-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email dpc5734@psu.edu.
