New Eagles head coach Chip Kelly touched down in Philadelphia on Wednesday evening. He was greeted upon arrival by general manager Howie Roseman, president Don Smolenski, other key Eagles personnel and fans who simply could not wait for their first look at the new coach.
Known for wearing a visor, Roseman immediately handed him a new Eagles one after he got off the plane. Before heading to the NovaCare Complex to meet with Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Lurie, Kelly briefly spoke with reporters about the decision to leave Oregon, where he compiled a 46-7 record in four seasons as a head coach.
"I was sold on the Eagles the first time I met them," Kelly told 6abc. "It's a great city. It's an iconic franchise. It's got an unbelievable owner. But I left some great people back in Oregon and that was the tough part, the human side of this whole thing."
Kelly learned about the Eagles' passionate fanbase when he received a text message during his flight from Eugene, Ore. that he was being tracked like Santa Claus. A hot commodity on the coaching market, Kelly interviewed with the Bills and the Browns in addition to the Eagles. Kelly thought that the Eagles provided the best chance to win.
"My dream is to just win. This was the best opportunity for me to win," Kelly said. "I never thought a long time ago that I was going to be able to coach in the NFL, but I'm excited about the opportunity."
Kelly will be formally introduced Thursday at a 1:30 PM press conference which will be a part of our Eagles Live! broadcast beginning at Noon.
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