Logic dictated the Eagles would select a defensive coordinator after the Super Bowl. There were at least four candidates from the Packers and Steelers rumored to be in the running. Guess again.
Coach Andy Reid, who likes to defy logic, made a shocking announcement yesterday when he named Juan Castillo as his new defensive coordinator.
“What might seem a little strange is just a very confident move and one that will take our defense to another level,” Reid said. “We’re going to be fast, physical and fundamentally sound, and be the best defense in the NFL.”
Castillo, who served as the team’s offensive line coach for the past 12 seasons, replaces the fired Sean McDermott. Howard Mudd was hired to replace Castillo as the Eagles’ new offensive line coach.
“My life has always been about proving people wrong, and I think that’s what Philadelphia is,” Castillo said.
Castillo hasn’t coached defense since 1989, when he was a linebackers coach for Kingsville (Texas) High School. The 51-year-old stressed that he has always been “a defensive guy that’s gotten stuck on the offensive side.”
“We’re going to get back to being physical and fundamentally sound here,” Castillo said.
