From Player To Coach; Duce Staley Appreciation Post

Jan 31, 2021

Following a ten-year coaching stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, Running Back/Assistant Head Coach Duce Staley will be leaving Philly for Detroit to accept the same coaching position on the Lions staff. Prior to the move, Staley was widely regarded, qualified, and considered for the head coaching gig here in Philadelphia. After the Birds announced the hiring of Nick Siranni, Staley decided to take his talents to Detroit and part ways with Philly a few days later.

?BREAKING?
Duce Staley has asked to be let out of his deal with the #Eagles.
He has received multiple other interests in teams and it seems like the Eagles have filled their big offensive coaching positions via @JClarkNBCS. pic.twitter.com/vhOLKTFJ3f
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) January 24, 2021

Prefacing his departure, Staley penned a good-bye letter to the City of Brotherly Love containing some of these quotes:

“I want to thank all of you for welcoming me and allowing me to be part of your family for seven years as a player and 11 years as a coach. Playing for and working for the Philadelphia Eagles and our fans has been the honor of my lifetime.” said Staley. “I still remember like it was yesterday getting drafted and coming here in 1997 and playing for Ray Rhodes and then Andy Reid…”

Photo: Chris Gardner/Getty Images

“I am very sad to leave this great organization and city and fans, but I am looking forward to the growth opportunities that lie ahead despite the uncertainties.” Staley wrote. “The way you embraced me, gave me the best nickname I’ve ever heard (Duuuuucccceeee), the way you expect the best from your athletes, the fact you deserve our best given what you’ve invested in us. All of this motivated me to reach heights I never thought possible growing up as a country boy in South Carolina that loved playing football more than I was necessarily good at it”

Staley played college football at the University of South Carolina. During Staley’s Senior season, the 5’11, 240-pound RB racked up 1,116 rushing yards, ranking 13th respectively in the nation. Staley capped off his career as a Gamecock averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 345 attempts for 1,582 yards. Following his Senior campaign, Staley was drafted in the third-round of the 1997 NFL Draft with the 71st overall pick.

Upon arrival to Philadelphia, the Birds already had running back Ricky Waters on the roster, leaving Staley to start zero games and only carry the rock seven times for 29 yards. By the time 1998 rolled around, Staley balled-out for Birds by starting 13 games and breaking the 1,000 yard rushing mark (1,065) and scored five times. The following year saw even more growth from Staley as the South Carolina native contributed 1,273 yards and four scores to the Birds in 1999.

In 2000 and 2001, a series of injuries (lisfranc fracture and ACL) caused Staley’s production to take a toll. 2002 saw Staley reach the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in six seasons (1,029). Proceeding the selection of RB Brian Westbrook, Staley took a bit of a backseat and primary played as the teams power back. Following a contract dispute the Birds ultimately did not end up compensating Staley, resulting in him signing a five-year $14 million deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004.

Despite only playing 16 games in Pittsburgh after suffering more injuries, Staley won Super Bowl XL as a member of the Steelers during the 2005 season.

Staley finished his playing days with the Birds gathering 4,807 rushing yards 34 total touchdowns

(24 rushing, 10 receiving)

Staley would retire as a Philadelphia Eagle on December 9th 2007 during an Eagles vs Giants game.

In the year 2010, Staley became a coaching intern for the Eagles under Andy Reid’s coaching staff. In a years time, Staley accepted a promotion that would elevate him to special teams quality control coach. Following the firing of Reid, Staley was retained by new head coach Chip Kelly, and was moved up to running backs coach in 2013. When the Eagles head coaching opportunity became open again, Staley interviewed for the job but was ultimately passed on in favor of Doug Pederson in 2016.

Staley was a part of the Eagles Super Bowl LII victory during the 2017 season. After reaching the top of the mountain, Staley coached in the same position for another three seasons until he was passed on again for a shot to be the next Eagles head coach.

Here are some notable running mates Staley worked with during his tenure as RB coach: