This morning news broke that the Eagles were in discussions with Jim Washburn, the highly respected defensive line coach of the Tennessee Titans. This afternoon, the Eagles announced that Washburn has been hired as their new defensive line coach. It's a major coup for the Eagles, who have landed a man considered by many to be the best defensive line coach in the business. Andy Reid said he's thrilled to have Washburn on board.
"We are thrilled to add a quality defensive line coach in Jim Washburn. He had a great tenure with Jeff Fisher and the Tennessee Titans and he'll play a big part in the development of our defensive line moving forward. He's had a number of Pro Bowl players working under him over the years with the Titans and we're happy to have him join our coaching staff in Philadelphia."
Washburn expressed his gratitude to his former employer, but said he was excited to come to Philadelphia.
"Words cannot express the gratitude I have for Jeff Fisher and the Titans organization for allowing a nobody like me to coach in the NFL for the last 12 years. An opportunity came along for me to join the Eagles and I felt like it was good timing. At this stage of my career, I'm ready to make a change. This is no reflection on the state of the Titans but just a good opportunity for me. My wife, Sandy, and I have long planned to make Middle Tennessee our home and that is still our plan. However, we look forward to moving to Philadelphia and joining a top-flight organization like the Eagles and work for a premier coach in Andy Reid."
Washburn's decision was likely heavily influenced by the fact that Jeff Fisher is currently a lame duck in Tennessee. He has just one year left on his contract and could not make any commitments to his coaching staff beyond next year. So Washburn likely saw the opening in Philadelphia as a place where he could long security in a stable organization.
His bio with the Titans touts his many successes.
Over the years, Washburn has demonstrated the ability to develop talent, molding players like Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jevon Kearse, John Thornton, Robaire Smith, Antwan Odom, Kevin Carter, Albert Haynesworth and Tony Brown into top-flight producers. During his tenure, four of his players (Kearse, Vanden Bosch, Carter, Haynesworth) have earned a total of nine Pro Bowl selections.