INDIANAPOLIS -- Howard Mudd couldn't stay away from coaching too long.
Mudd, the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line coach from 1998-2009 and an integral part of the team's success during the last decade, in a surprising move on Wednesday joined the Philadelphia Eagles as the offensive line coach.
Mudd, 69, had retired following the Colts' loss to the New Orleans Saints in the February 2010 Super Bowl in Miami.
At the time of his retirement, he had been coaching one position longer, 36 years, than any other NFL assistant.
"Very smart and has clearly got the experience to probably be the best offensive line coach this league has seen,'' The Indianapolis Star quoted Colts right tackle Ryan Diem said in a story posted on the Eagles' website.
Added five-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, "He definitely brings some flavor ... and he's a special guy."
Mudd's move to the Eagles came the same day Philadelphia coach Andy Reid moved offensive coordinator Juan Castillo to the defensive coordinator position.
"I'm losing a great offensive line coach but I'm also gaining a great one, and that's important in this whole deal," Reid told PhiladelphiaEagles.com Wednesday. "I wasn't going to weaken the offensive line and the coaching there so I had to do a little bit of evaluating and it took a little bit of time to get the pieces together. So I'm very excited about this move.
"Howard Mudd's a hall of fame caliber offensive line coach. If they put offensive line coaches in the hall of fame, you're going to look at Howard Mudd. That guy has left a legacy in this league in this league as an offensive line coach and was semi-retired there. To get him to come back was an important thing in this puzzle."
Mudd and newly hired Eagles defensive line coach Jim Washburn are close friends. Washburn coached the Tennessee Titans' defensive line until joining the Eagles last month.
"I feel very, very fortunate to have Howard Mudd here," Reid said. "This guy, he's left a legacy in this league as an offensive line coach. He is so fired up to be here. I'll tell you the same thing about Jim Washburn. He is fired up to be a Philadelphia Eagle. And so when I'm looking for guys, I'm looking for guys that are bringing energy and want to be here and want to make the Philadelphia Eagles the best possible team they can be."
Howard Mudd Joins Eagles as Offensive Line Coach
Feb 2, 2011 – 11:59 PM
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