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Part of the journey that comes with being part of the Philadelphia Eagles organization, its fan base, or the media that covers them daily is knowing that we won't always agree. There was no need to take a poll here, though. Moments after the announcement of Jeff Stoutland's decision, everyone identifying in one of the above categories all felt the same range of emotions: shock, hurt, sadness, frustration, and anger.
Sure, if the Eagles fix their run game next season and score 30 points a game, this won't be mentioned as much, but no one is there yet. Coach Stoutland is a legend, and though he went out on his own terms as expected, the circumstances surrounding his exit seem unfortunate.
This had better work! But, for now, let's hit the pause button for a second. We have all discussed our anger and concern about why this happened. Let's take a moment to reminisce about six highlights of a resume that will never be forgotten.
It's an old saying, but one that never loses its punch. The job of a great head coach is to make his players better. If you ever need an example of what that looks like, look no further than Coach Stoutland's 13-year run in Philadelphia.
Good players became Pro Bowlers, like Brandon Brooks. Reclamation projects like Mekhi Becton proved they weren't the busts they were believed to be.
Jason Peters was lost for the season during a Super Bowl run. Halapoulivaati Vaitai stepped in and never looked as though he wasn't prepared for the moment. We could go on and on. If Coach Stoutland couldn't pull greatness out of someone in his meeting room, there simply wasn't greatness there to find.
During each of his 13 seasons, at least one player from Coach Stoutland's unit was voted onto the Pro Bowl roster. Let that sink in for a second.
Here's something else worth mentioning. Bring this up in the break room or at the water cooler, and see how it lands. We can also argue that, in each of those seasons, there was at least one player we can label a snub. Doesn't feel like Jordan Mailata, an All-Pro in 2024, should have at least one Pro Bowl nod on his resume?
Speaking of Jordan Mailata, let's park the car here for a second. The man who coined the phrase 'Stoutland University' should have served as its valedictorian on more than one occasion.
A seventh-round draft choice in 2018, Mailata didn't know how to put his helmet on and buckle his chin strap when he arrived. Jeff Stoutland made an NFL All-Pro out of a rugby player who never played American football before his arrival. How else can 'genius' be described if that isn't it?
Once upon a time, several members of the Eagles' offensive line walked into Nick Sirianni's office and suggested he run the football more. We imagine they did so under Coach Stoutland's recommendation. To his credit, Sirianni listened, and for the entire duration of his tenure, minus last season when injuries struck, the O-line and running game were the root cause of the offensive success.
Miles Sanders was named a Pro Bowler in 2022. D'Andre Swift earned the same honor a year later. Both earned huge paydays. Neither has enjoyed similar success since leaving. They would not have been Pro Bowlers without enjoying having Stoutand's line in front of them, but an even greater rushing season came after Swift was allowed to leave to add an elite talent.
We always wondered from a distance what Saquon Barkley would look like and how he'd perform as part of a more talented and better-coached roster. Running behind a healthy Eagles O-line, one that lost Jason Kelce during the previous offseason, Saquon Barkley became the ninth man to join the 2,000-yard club, and he would have broken Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record had he been allowed to play in the finale.
We get it, though. Bigger goals were on the horizon. No one is complaining.
Name a more iconic speech at a championship parade than Jason Kelce's masterpiece after Super Bowl LII. Sure, we've heard cool phrases, but no other speech carried so many statements that everyone remembers.
During his ode to Philadelphia (and his chastisement of those who had doubted the Eagles), he took time to brag about his position coach... Yes... His position coach!
Stop what you are doing. That's the effect that Jeff Stoutland had on this team and his players. What else needs to be said after that?
The truth is this. Nothing else needs to be said because that quote says everything. Jeff Stoutland didn't just coach technique. He instilled belief, edge, and hunger.
He shaped careers, anchored championships, and left fingerprints on some of the most meaningful moments in franchise history. Long after the noise fades and the scheme changes, his standard will remain. Stoutland University wasn't just a position group. It was a mindset, and Philadelphia is better for having witnessed it.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Six highlights from Jeff Stoutland's outstanding Eagles tenure
Continue reading...
Sure, if the Eagles fix their run game next season and score 30 points a game, this won't be mentioned as much, but no one is there yet. Coach Stoutland is a legend, and though he went out on his own terms as expected, the circumstances surrounding his exit seem unfortunate.
This had better work! But, for now, let's hit the pause button for a second. We have all discussed our anger and concern about why this happened. Let's take a moment to reminisce about six highlights of a resume that will never be forgotten.
Putting his Eagles players in the best position to be successful
It's an old saying, but one that never loses its punch. The job of a great head coach is to make his players better. If you ever need an example of what that looks like, look no further than Coach Stoutland's 13-year run in Philadelphia.
Good players became Pro Bowlers, like Brandon Brooks. Reclamation projects like Mekhi Becton proved they weren't the busts they were believed to be.
Jason Peters was lost for the season during a Super Bowl run. Halapoulivaati Vaitai stepped in and never looked as though he wasn't prepared for the moment. We could go on and on. If Coach Stoutland couldn't pull greatness out of someone in his meeting room, there simply wasn't greatness there to find.
13 straight seasons of Pro Bowlers birthed from Stoutland University
During each of his 13 seasons, at least one player from Coach Stoutland's unit was voted onto the Pro Bowl roster. Let that sink in for a second.
Here's something else worth mentioning. Bring this up in the break room or at the water cooler, and see how it lands. We can also argue that, in each of those seasons, there was at least one player we can label a snub. Doesn't feel like Jordan Mailata, an All-Pro in 2024, should have at least one Pro Bowl nod on his resume?
Transforming a rugby player, Jordan Mailata, into an All-Pro
Speaking of Jordan Mailata, let's park the car here for a second. The man who coined the phrase 'Stoutland University' should have served as its valedictorian on more than one occasion.
A seventh-round draft choice in 2018, Mailata didn't know how to put his helmet on and buckle his chin strap when he arrived. Jeff Stoutland made an NFL All-Pro out of a rugby player who never played American football before his arrival. How else can 'genius' be described if that isn't it?
Transforming Miles Sanders and D'Andre Swift into Pro Bowlers
Once upon a time, several members of the Eagles' offensive line walked into Nick Sirianni's office and suggested he run the football more. We imagine they did so under Coach Stoutland's recommendation. To his credit, Sirianni listened, and for the entire duration of his tenure, minus last season when injuries struck, the O-line and running game were the root cause of the offensive success.
Miles Sanders was named a Pro Bowler in 2022. D'Andre Swift earned the same honor a year later. Both earned huge paydays. Neither has enjoyed similar success since leaving. They would not have been Pro Bowlers without enjoying having Stoutand's line in front of them, but an even greater rushing season came after Swift was allowed to leave to add an elite talent.
Saquon Barkley's 2,000-yard season
We always wondered from a distance what Saquon Barkley would look like and how he'd perform as part of a more talented and better-coached roster. Running behind a healthy Eagles O-line, one that lost Jason Kelce during the previous offseason, Saquon Barkley became the ninth man to join the 2,000-yard club, and he would have broken Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record had he been allowed to play in the finale.
We get it, though. Bigger goals were on the horizon. No one is complaining.
"Hungry dogs run faster."
Name a more iconic speech at a championship parade than Jason Kelce's masterpiece after Super Bowl LII. Sure, we've heard cool phrases, but no other speech carried so many statements that everyone remembers.
During his ode to Philadelphia (and his chastisement of those who had doubted the Eagles), he took time to brag about his position coach... Yes... His position coach!
Stop what you are doing. That's the effect that Jeff Stoutland had on this team and his players. What else needs to be said after that?
The truth is this. Nothing else needs to be said because that quote says everything. Jeff Stoutland didn't just coach technique. He instilled belief, edge, and hunger.
He shaped careers, anchored championships, and left fingerprints on some of the most meaningful moments in franchise history. Long after the noise fades and the scheme changes, his standard will remain. Stoutland University wasn't just a position group. It was a mindset, and Philadelphia is better for having witnessed it.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Six highlights from Jeff Stoutland's outstanding Eagles tenure
Continue reading...
