Eagles’ Head Coach Nick Sirianni was visibly animated on the sidelines immediately after his team’s game-winning stop against the Colts, forcibly ridding himself of his head set before jumping on the bench to holler at a pack of Philadelphia fans.
For Sirianni, it was more than just a win that improved the Eagles’ record to 9- 1 following a disappointing week 10 defeat, but soothingly much deeper. “ I’m emotional because I love Frank Reich”, Sirianni told reporters after the 17-16 victory. “ He’s one of the best damn football coaches I‘be ever been around. I was hoping he & I would be able to coach against each other in this game. “
Reich was fired by the Colts on November 7 following a 3-5-1 start in his fifth season in Indianapolis. Sirianni served as the Colts’ offensive coordinator for the first three seasons of Reich’s leave in Indy, which led to the 41 year old attaining head coach job in Philadelphia.
“ I spent a lot of time here. One of my children was born here”, Sirianni said, “ It was to come here, especially with what happened in this organisation the last couple weeks, and get the win! Leave Indianapolis with a win ! “
The Colts hired Jeff Saturday as the team’s interim head coach following Reich ‘s dismissal. Saturday’s Colts debuted with a surprise victory last week, and held a lead against the Eagles up until the final 8 seeds of Sunday’s game when Jalen Hurts scooted with the end zone to the go ahead score.
“You don’t want to know what I think about whether he should be here or not, because young guys can probably imagine what I really think”, Sirianni said of Reich. “ I love him. So I got a little emotional about that.“
An emotional win that came under the critical circumstances of a close, tough game may do wonders for the first place Eagles going forward. Hurts recognised Sirinni’s emotions after the game by handing him the game ball, and adding another positive chapter to Pnlladelphia’s 2022 season.
“ I know it’s special for him, said Hurts. He spent a lot of time here in Indianapolis. He has a lot of memories here-great homecoming for him. I’m glad he was able to get the win for him. As he walked off the field, I hear he got a little emotional. I guess I didn’t help when I tossed him the ball.”
“ Coach doesn’t get enough credit for what does & he’s been for us. He does a great job .I’m happy he got this win.”
