From IUP Sports Information
Former Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) assistant football coach Nick Sirianni was named the new head coach of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, announced Sunday morning.
Sirianni becomes the third member of the IUP football family to earn an NFL head coaching position, following Jim Haslett with the New Orleans Saints (2000) and then-St. Louis Rams (2008), and Ben McAdoo with the New York Giants (2016).
IUP was Sirianni’s second stop on his coaching career after two years at Division III juggernaut Mount Union College (2004-05). After a standout playing career with the Purple Raiders (2000-03), Sirianni spent three years on the IUP campus as the program’s wide receivers coach from 2006-08. He helped IUP to a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship and 8-2 record in his first year under head coach Lou Tepper.
In 2007 and 2008 he tutored first team All-PSAC West receiver Ken Witter, who combined for 133 catches, 1550 yards and 16 touchdowns in those two seasons.
“Nick did a great job coaching the wide receivers here at IUP,” said head coach Paul Tortorella, who was an assistant during Sirianni’s stay on campus. “He had a ton of enthusiasm and was only out of college for two years. I had been here for 11 years before Nick interviewed. After the interview, I remember telling a couple of assistants, ‘This is a no-brainer, hire him right now before he leaves!’ He was very composed and knowledgeable but also had passion and great relationships with his players and fellow coaches.”
Sirianni with Ken Witter (Indiana Gazette photo)
Sirianni parlayed his work at IUP into a NFL coaching career, working mostly with receivers and quarterbacks. He started with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-12 before moving to the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers where he coached from 2013-17. For the last three seasons he has been the offensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts under head coach Frank Reich, with whom he worked with in San Diego.
As the OC in Indianapolis, Sirianni helped the Colts to two playoff appearances in three seasons. He worked with several quarterbacks during that time, including Andrew Luck in 2018, Jacoby Brissett and Brian Hoyer in 2019, and Philip Rivers in 2020. With a new QB taking the reins in Rivers last season, and despite several injuries, Indianapolis finished ninth overall in the NFL in total offense.
A native of Jamestown, N.Y., Sirianni won three NCAA Division III National Championships (2000-02) as a wide receiver at Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. A three-year starter, he earned All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors as a senior after a career-high 13 touchdown catches. Sirianni spent one season (2005) playing in the Atlantic Indoor Football League with the Canton Legends while coaching.
Sirianni’s brother, Mike, is the head coach at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. A seven-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Mike Sirianni is the winningest football coach in school history with a .813 winning percentage (156-36). He led the Presidents to their 26th PAC title in 2018. His brother, Jay, is a former head coach at their alma mater, Southwestern Central High School in Jamestown where their father, Fran, also spent nine years as the varsity head coach. Under Jay, Southwestern Central won New York state championships in 2008 and 2009. He stepped down from coaching at Southwestern Central in 2015.
Sirianni and his wife, Brett, have two sons, Jacob and Miles, and one daughter, Taylor.
“As an athletic department, we are extremely proud and excited for Nick,” said athletic director Todd Garzarelli. “He’s experience tremendous success at each stop of his NFL career and we expect him to continue that success in Philadelphia. Nick is part of a long list of former IUP football staff members in the NFL and a group that we recognize as part of the great foundation of our football program.”
Sirianni’s Coaching Career
2004-2005 Mount Union Defensive Backs
2006-2008 IUP Wide Receivers
2009-2011 Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Quality Control
2012 Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receivers
2013 San Diego Chargers Quality Control-Offense
2014-2015 San Diego Chargers Quarterbacks
2016 San Diego Chargers Wide Receivers
2017 Los Angeles Chargers Wide Receivers
2018-2020 Indianapolis Colts Offensive Coordinator
2021- Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach
IUP’s presence in the NFL
Sirianni was among eight former members of the IUP football program who were on teams that advanced to the NFL’s postseason.
Aside from Sirianni, the group included Chad Henry (area scout), also of the Colts; Brandon Hunt (pro scouting coordinator) of the Pittsburgh Steelers; Jim Haslett (linebackers coach) of the Tennessee Titans; Kevin Weidl (area scout) of the Baltimore Ravens; Luke Getsy (quarterback coach) of the Green Bay Packers; Jim Hostler (receivers coach) of the Washington Football Team; and Anthony Piroli (strength & conditioning coach) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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