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Duce Staley is taking his talents to ‘MOTOWN’, signing on with Dan Campbell and the Lions to become the new assistant head coach and running backs coach.
Staley and the Eagles parted ways after the former Philadelphia running back was once again passed over for the head coaching job after Doug Pederson was fired.
Staley spent the bulk of his playing career in Philadelphia and has been on the Eagles staff since 2011.
Not wanting to leave without saying goodbye, the Eagles legend teamed up with NBC Sports Philadelphia, to pen an emotional, heartfelt letter, thanking the city for “everything.”
Dear Philadelphia,
I want to thank all of you for welcoming me and allowing me to be part of your family for 7 years as a player and 11 years as a coach. Playing for and working for the Philadelphia Eagles and our fans has been the honor of my lifetime. I still remember like it was yesterday getting drafted and coming here in 1997 and playing for Ray Rhodes and then Andy Reid.
I am very sad to leave this great organization and city and fans, but I am looking forward to the growth opportunities that lie ahead despite the uncertainties. The way you embraced me, gave me the best nickname I’ve ever heard (Duuuuucccceeee), the way you expect the best from your athletes, the fact you deserve our best given what you’ve invested in us — all of this motivated me to reach heights I never thought possible growing up as a country boy in South Carolina that loved playing football more than I was necessarily good at it.
This has been an incredibly tough year for our fans dealing with issues like COVID and social justice. Regardless of where the rest of my career takes me, I will continue to lead from the front to help our community on these and other issues. While you know I will give my all to every team I have the pleasure to work for, you should also know I consider myself an Eagle for life. Best wishes to the best sports city of all time and never forget what we accomplished together. The grit and character of this city will allow you to accomplish even more going forward.
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!
Love,
Duce/blockquote>
Staley played college football at South Carolina and was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft.
Following the end of his playing career, Staley began his coaching career as a special teams quality control coach in 2011 for the Eagles and Andy Reid, before being promoted to the running backs coach in 2013 under Chip Kelly and given an additional role as assistant head coach in 2018 under Doug Pederson.
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