Former Eagles, Rams, and Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil reportedly had a role in bringing former Eagles coach Andy Reid to Kansas City. Now, Vermeil is trying to help replace Reid in Philly with another former NFL head coach.
“My choice would be Jon Gruden,” Vermeil told Anthony Gargano and Glen Macnow of WIP radio, via Philly.com. “I just think he’s a helluva of football coach, and I don’t want him to make the mistake I made, to wait too long to go back. I just think he’s a helluva football coach and a great personality.”
Vermeil suggested action much stronger than the Eagles making a request that Gruden interview for the job.
“I’d do more than ask,” Vermeil said. “You know what I’d do? I’d get in a bus and take the bank with me.”
Vermeil is the second former Eagles employee to aggressively lobby for Gruden. Previously, former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski said that Gruden would be interested in the job, but that the Eagles had not yet contacted Gruden.
It’s unclear whether Gruden is playing any behind-the-scenes role in these public efforts to place him in Philly. But it’s believed that he’s ready to listen to NFL opportunities. And it’s apparent that, for now, no NFL opportunities are coming.