Duce Staley on why he chose Detroit after parting ways with the Eagles
A familiar face will be missing in Philadelphia this season after Duce Staley took his talents and coaching acumen to Detroit and Dan Campbell’s staff with the Lions.
Staley had been on the Eagles staff since 2011 and had previously turned down overtures to join other coaching staff.
On Wednesday during his first press conference as the Lions running backs coach and assistant head coach, Staley talked about why he chose Detroit.
“Just thinking about Detroit and getting a call from coach Campbell, he was super excited on the phone. I felt the energy through the phone,” Staley said via PFT. “And then Aaron Glenn gave me a call and he says, ‘Hey man, we’re building something special here. We want you to be a part of it.’ And when I got those two phone calls, I’m telling you — being in Philadelphia for so long, each year I would get phone calls or opportunities to see what was out there, interest from other clubs. But when those two guys reached out to me, it felt good. It felt right.”
Campbell’s staff is filled with former NFL players and Staley will inherit a talented running back group that includes running backs D’Andre Swift and Kerryon Johnson.
Staley was once again a candidate for the Eagles job after Doug Pederson parted ways with the organization, but the gig went to former Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni.
