Living Legends: Where are they now?
Duce Staley never anticipated a career as a coach.
The former South Carolina running back’s life after football took a fateful twist in the summer of 2010, however.
Staley — who played in the NFL for 10 seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers — returned home to Columbia, S.C., upon his retirement in 2006.
Like most players, Staley got into broadcasting. His career behind the microphone began as a radio analyst for the South Carolina football program.
“That was fun,” Staley said in an interview with NFL Player Engagement. “I thought I could do that. Every once in a while I would come back to Philadelphia and coach [Andy] Reid would see me and tell me I should try the minority coaching internship.”
In that summer of 2010, Staley took Reid up on his offer and joined the Eagles at training camp at Lehigh University. By the time camp was over, Reid’s mind was made up.
“We were leaving camp, and I went over to coach Reid to say thank you,” Staley said. “He looked at me and said ‘you’re not going anywhere, you’re hired.’ It took me by surprise a little bit.”
It’s quite the turn of events for someone who just four years earlier said “never” when asked about the idea of coaching.
“When I was playing, coaching was really the furthest thing on my mind,” Staley said. “All you heard was the horror stories, the long hours, all of that. I always thought that’s not for me, I’ll just do something else when I’m finished playing.”
Staley worked his way up the staff ranks under Reid, but then was Reid was fired after the 2012 season, Staley’s future all of a sudden hung in the balance.
“In this business, you’re always worried,” Staley said. I was lucky. Right after coach Reid left, Mr. [Jeffrey] Lurie [Eagles owner] called me and told me how much he believed in me and that he would suggest to the new coach I stay. I was really thankful for that.”
Former Oregon coach Chip Kelly was hired by the Eagles, and one of his first calls was to Staley.
“Chip offered me the opportunity,” Staley said, “and I jumped at it.”
Five years later, and Staley couldn’t image doing anything else anywhere else.
“I fell in love with it,” Staley said. “Being back in the game, being involved, getting to work with guys like LaSean McCoy. I really do love it.
“I’m not saying I couldn’t coach somewhere else. But it helps a lot to be back here. The owner, management knows me, remembers me as a player and respects what I can do. And the city, I love Philadelphia.”