Anytime a big-time coach leaves a team, it always affects teams differently, but one departure from the Philadelphia Eagles hit in a whole different way.
The Eagles lost one of their top defensive assistants, defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Christian Parker, who departed for the Dallas Cowboys as their new defensive coordinator. Safeties coach Joe Kasper was promoted to defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator.
While at the Super Bowl media row, The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane spoke with star Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean about several topics, including losing Parker and Kasper's promotion. DeJean opened up about losing his only defensive backs coach in his two-year NFL career.
"Obviously I'm happy for him, happy for CP, and he deserves it. He's taught me a lot, me and Q obviously. We wouldn't be the players we are without him, that's for sure. Taught us a lot about technique and film study and things like that, so I'm sure he'll do a great job except for two times a year hopefully. And Coach Kasper, me and Coach Kasper have a really good relationship. We talk all the time. I'm happy for him and for this opportunity for him
Cooper DeJean opened up about Eagles coaching changes
DeJean had a ton of success under Parker as the defensive backs coach, and it was clear early on how good he would be from his 2024 rookie season. Last season was even better as DeJean got selected into the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro selection in his second year alongside Quinyon Mitchell.
The loss of Parker is huge to the Eagles, but it was bound to happen as he was a hot name in the offseason for defensive coordinator jobs. He was up for multiple jobs but landed with the Cowboys, where he will have play-calling duties.
Kasper is another rising name in the coach rankings, and the Eagles wisely promoted him after he had gotten calls from other teams as well. After the work he did with Reed Blankenship and Andrew Mukuba, Kasper will be able to work that same magic with DeJean and Mitchell and keep them consistent.
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It's only a matter of time before Kasper will have the same fate as Parker with landing a defensive coordinator job. Eagles fans can only hope that if Vic Fangio does decide to retire in the near future, Philly might be able to convince Kasper to stick around to take that job.