As the Kansas City Chiefs get prepared to face the Jacksonville Jaguars for the second time this season, Andy Reid’s vast coaching tree has again come to light.
25 years ago, when Doug Pederson first met Andy Reid, he’d thrown just eight passes in the NFL. Little did he know the influence that Reid was about to have over his career as both a player and a coach.
Fast forward to the present and Pederson’s Jaguars have ripped off six consecutive wins to face Reid’s Chiefs in the AFC divisional round. It’s a performance that Reid insists is worthy of consideration for the Associated Press Coach of the Year Award.
“Tremendous coaching job,” Reid said. “Phenomenal coaching job. I’d imagine he’s up for the Coach of the Year by his performance and how he’s resurrected that program there. That’s not an easy thing to do, and he’s done it as well or better than anybody.”
It’s a bit reminiscent of Andy Reid’s quick turnaround of the Chiefs’ franchise. He took a 2-14 team and turned them into an 11-5 playoff team in just one season. Pederson’s given the Jaguars their first playoff appearance and win after a four-year drought.
As Reid said, it’s not such an easy thing to do. So, what’s the secret behind Pederson’s success? Reid believes he’s the model coach for players given that he’s experienced both sides of the coin.
“He played, obviously, and he knows what kind of coach he liked and didn’t like,” Reid said. “And so within his own personality, he presents it in a friendly manner, but yet (he’s) demanding of the guys and I think that’s a positive thing. He was that way – I was with him when he was a player and I was with him as a coach, so he’s got a good way about him.”
That familiarity is both a blessing and a curse for each Reid and Pederson as they get prepared to square off for a third time and the second time this season.
