Super Bowl LVII has plenty of storylines, and once you get past the most obvious you’ll find this gem involving the two head coaches.
The future Hall of Famer Andy Reid and the neophyte Nick Sirianni have history that begins with Reid being named the Chiefs head coach in 2013 and subsequently firing a young, up-and-coming Sirianni.
Nick Sirianni Was Fired By Andy Reid In 2013
During Wednesday’s Super Bowl media session, Sirianni discussed that ordeal and how it motivated him. And although he’s grateful for how Reid pulled him in and talked with him before making the decision, that moment was a driving force behind the coach you see today.
“Do you have this little chip on your shoulder? Sure, yeah you do,” Sirianni said. “But that’s who I am as a coach and as a person — I want to make sure I’m working my butt off. … And, sure, you hold on to some of those things.”
Based on his success in year two at the helm, it’s safe to say Sirianni has made the most of his opportunities elsewhere. And now he’ll look to beat the guy who decided against keeping him ten years earlier.
#Chiefs Andy Reid is 64 years old, #Eagles Nick Sirianni is 41-years old. Their 22-season coaching gap is the largest in Super Bowl history.
Patrick Mahomes is 27-years old, Jalen Hurts is 24-years old, their combined age makes this the youngest QB matchup in SB history. pic.twitter.com/BfLga8bbGY
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 6, 2023
Sirianni Says Chiefs Weren’t Good Enough For Reid To Keep Coaches
Coming off a 2-14 season, Reid replaced head coach Romeo Crennel, and cleaned house in K.C., bringing in his own coaches.
At the time, Sirianni was a young offensive quality control coach, but Reid opted for trusted, longtime friend and assistant David Culley to fill that position. Sirianni says the Chiefs’ record played a big role in coaches being replaced, and he did understand it.
“Andy came in because we weren’t good enough in Kansas City. And he stepped in and did an unbelievable job,” Sirianni said. “What I appreciated is that he brought everyone in and talked to them.”
“I didn’t coach with Andy, but he gave me a good example of what to do with a hard part of the job of: ‘Hey, I got a guy here. ‘He was complimentary. He knew I would be down, so he gave me strength when I was down. I appreciated that, and it sounds like that’s how he is as a person and coach.”
Reid Fired Sirianni With Class
That’s Reid displaying the class that has made him one of the most-successful and respected coaches to ever grace the sidelines.
Sirianni also talked about how he met his wife in Kansas City and the two got engaged, further complicating his move. But Sirianni landed on his feet and now he’s four quarters from beating the guy who let him go ten years ago.
Nick Sirianni was let go by Andy Reid in 2013 in KC
"getting let go [with Chiefs] you're down, right? I gotta move my future wife… But I remember him lifting me up in that moment, telling me good things knowing I would get back on my feet. He gave me strength when I was down” pic.twitter.com/zNmgI9IUL0
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) February 7, 2023
Andy Reid Was Philadelphia Eagles Coach For 14 Years
Reid spent 14 seasons as the Eagles head coach, leading the team to five NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl appearance. In fact, current Eagles GM Howie Roseman began his executive career under Reid, who also served as the team’s Executive VP of Footall Operations from 2001-12. Roseman, who was recently named Executive of the Year by Pro Football Writers of America, raved about Andy when asked about his former boss.
“I would not be in this position if it weren’t for Coach Reid,” Roseman said. “I think about the fact that I was this 34-year-old guy and untraditional, and he was willing to give me a job as the GM and take the time to talk to me and teach me and be patient with this passionate, persistent person. It just means the world to me. I always root for him.”
Andy Reid Coach/Exec Tree
Reid hired Roseman, and he in turn hired Sirianni, and that’s the unbreakable tie to this game between the two head coaches.
What a way to kickoff #SuperBowl week on @NFLonFOX ! Had a little quality time with Andy Reid and Nick Sirianni up on stage here at Opening Night. Man sometimes my life feels like a dream!! Blue skies ahead pic.twitter.com/GSDS40aD48
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) February 7, 2023
For Sirianni, winning this game would do wonders for his résumé and legacy, but a win for Reid would boost him into the conversation of top five coaches of all time. But until he wins that second Super Bowl, it’s hard to put him in there.
Reid will become the fifth head coach to face his former team in the Super Bowl. He joins the likes of Weeb Ewbank, Dan Reeves, Jon Gruden and Pete Carroll.
