Chip Kelly was rumored to be interviewing Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart for the same position on the Philadelphia Eagles' coaching staff earlier this week. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, those rumors are unfounded.
Chip Kelly coaching staff: Kirby Smart not an option for Eagles
Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is not a candidate to join Chip Kelly’s staff with the Eagles, according to reports.
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Heard back from a source on Kirby Smart-to-the-Eagles: I'm told "no truth to it." Sounds like some UGA peeps are having some fun #recruiting
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2013
Smart is one of the most respected assistant coaches in college football. Few would argue that his National Championship-winning Crimson Tide defense wasn’t the best in the land in 2012. They ranked first in the nation in both total defense and points allowed.
Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was also reportedly being targeted for Kelly's staff. Grantham coached 11 years in the NFL before going to Georgia, which could make him a more natural for the Eagles than Smart, who spent just one season with the Miami Dolphins coaching safeties.
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