The Philadelphia Eagles have hired Billy Davis as their new defensive coordinator. The hire was first reported by Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. Davis spent the last two seasons as a linebackers coach for the Cleveland Browns. He will join new head coach Chip Kelly as he finishes putting the final touches on his coaching staff for the Eagles.
This is not Davis' first time being a defensive coordinator in the NFL. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals from 2009-2010 and was in that same role with the San Francisco 49ers from 2005-2006. Davis had mixed results with both teams and was eventually fired during both stints. He also spent time in various coaching positions with the Steelers, Panthers, Packers, Falcons and Giants. Davis has never had a defensive unit rank hire than 14th in points allowed and 20th in yards allowed. While Cleveland operated under a 4-3 defensive scheme last season, Davis does have experience in the 3-4 alignment the Eagles plan to run in 2013.
There were many rumors flying around as to who the Eagles would hire to fill Kelly's last open coaching position. The team had reportedly interviewed Todd Graham, the defensive coordinator for the University of Georgia. They attempted to interview him multiple times, but Graham declined due to the proximity with Nationals Signing Day. They also gave Alabama's defensive coordinator Kirby Smart an interview. The team was also reportedly looking at Baltimore Ravens assistant Ted Monachino and San Francisco 49ers' defensive backs coach, Ed Donatell, but never requested permission to speak with them.
Davis had interviewed for a position coaching job with the Panthers before meeting Kelly in January. He then interviewed with the Eagles on Sunday. It is likely he came highly recommended from fired Browns' head coach Pat Shurmur, who was hired by Kelly last month as the new offensive coordinator.
