Brian Billick: Eagles Would Be Wise to Look Elsewhere in Head Coach Search

The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly interviewed Brian Billick back on Jan. 7 for their head coaching vacancy, according to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Nothing has come from the interview, yet, but the Eagles could still be considering him as their search presses on.

Billick, formerly the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens for nine seasons, has not coached since he and his entire staff were fired by the team following a 5-11 2007 season.

The decision came quick, and the Ravens haven’t looked back since.

Steve Bisciotti, majority owner of the organization, saw more potential in his team than was being realized under Billick’s rule.

"It's a gut feeling. I have one job here, and that's to have a leader that I think gives us the best chance," Bisciotti said, according to a 2007 report by ESPN. "We have been losing more than winning lately."

Billick’s days in Baltimore were over thanks to a downward spiral that sent the team on a nine-game losing streak down the home stretch of the season.

But that doesn’t take away from the success he was able to achieve with the team. His Ravens won one Super Bowl, went 80-64 overall and made the playoffs four times during his time there.

So, what’s not to like?

Billick’s time away from the game is certainly a big concern, here. Around the league, ex-coaches are flirting with the idea of returning to the sidelines but aren’t making the plunge.

It's for good reason, too.

There aren’t many appealing situations that these veteran coaches would fall into that would help them get back into their winning ways.

Plus, the game is constantly evolving, and there is no telling how much or how little Billick has stayed up to speed with things.

The biggest reason the Eagles should avoid Billick is his inability to settle on, develop and employ an effective quarterback.

What would Billick do with a struggling Michael Vick and the uncertainty of Nick Foles?

Billick once coined the phrase: “Trust me, Baltimore, I know quarterbacks.”

If he did know QBs and how to develop them, he certainly didn’t show it in Baltimore. The team succeeded—when it did—while riding a strong and punishing defense and employing a second-rate, at best, offense.

Philadelphia needs a coach that can come in and help develop and fix the QB situation. Billick is not the right guy for the task.

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