Report: Eagles to Hire Colts DBs Coach Jonathan Gannon as their New Defensive Coordinator

According to The Athletic’s Michael Lombardi, the Philadelphia Eagles are going to hire Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon as the team’s new defensive coordinator:

It’s the second member of the Colts coaching staff that the Eagles have poached this week, as Indianapolis head coach Frank Reich’s former franchise also hired former offensive coordinator Nick Siriani to become the new head coach in Philadelphia.

From that sense, Gannon is a logical hire for Philadelphia given Sirianni’s comfort and familiarity with him from both serving on the Colts coaching staff previously.

Gannon was also a candidate for the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator position—before it was filled on Friday and also was still in the running for the Los Angeles Chargers similar opening—having recently interviewed for both franchises.

Regarding Gannon:

Gannon just finished his third season as Indianapolis’ defensive backs/cornerbacks coach (2018-2020). Prior to joining the Colts, Gannon was a member of the Minnesota Vikings (2014-17) and Tennessee Titans coaching staffs (2012-13). He also previously served as a scout with the St. Louis Rams (2009-11).

He’s been instrumental in the development of some of the Colts young defensive backs such as Kenny Moore, Khari Willis, and Julian Blackmon.

Colts general manager Chris Ballard already credited Gannon with his role in bringing lockdown cornerback Xavier Rhodes to Indianapolis on at least a one-year stint in 2020—while helping him to largely regain his prior All-Pro form with the Minnesota Vikings:

“Xavier had a heck of a year,” said Ballard last week in his end-of-season press conference.

“(He) really bought into what we are doing. I give Jonathan Gannon (Colts cornerbacks coach) a lot of credit for that. He had a relationship with Xavier from Minnesota. Xavier worked and bought into everything we’re doing.”

Obviously, there will be some turnover with the Colts coaching staff this offseason, as the team has already lost Sirianni, Gannon, and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus remains a serious candidate for the Houston Texans head coaching opening.

(It’s also worth noting that Colts assistant offensive line coach Klayton Adams left to become the offensive line coach at Arizona State University.)

However, it speaks to the quality of Reich’s coaching staff collectively, and it will be ‘Next Man Up’ again in Indianapolis—only this time among the franchise’s top coaches.