Local ties fuel Eagles Super Bowl run
ALLIANCE, Ohio (WKBN) – The University of Mount Union football team has won 13 NCAA Division III National Championships and now one of their own is leading a Super Bowl team.
Read next: Youngstown-born NFL player could win 3rd Super Bowl ring in a row
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has led the Eagles to the team's second Super Bowl in three seasons. He started his football career playing receiver at Mount Union.
'They're a team that they feel that family and that Sirianni and Italian all the way,' said former Mount Union head coach Larry Kehres. 'They're playing for Nick Sirianni. They're reflecting his comments that he makes with them, a lot when he's in a meeting room with them.'
Read next: Local players you may not know who played in the Super Bowl
The current Eagles head coach played for Legendary Mount Union head football coach Larry Kehres. Kehres notched 11 national championships for the Purple Raiders.
Sirianni was a three-year starter piling up 52 catches for 998 yards and 13 touchdowns his senior year. He was the youngest of the three Sirianni brothers, Mike and Jay, to attend Mount Union.
'I think his mom planted the seed in Mike's mind, let's go visit Mount Union,' said Kehres. 'So every time I think of the family, I say thank you, Mrs. Sirianni.'
The Purple Raider graduate helped lead Mount Union to three straight national championships. Then, in 2004 he joined the Mount Union staff as an assistant and helped lead the Purple Raiders to yet another championship.
'He was the little brother that threw the football outside the locker room, he was an excitable, young ten-year-old,' said Kehres.
Sirianni has coached in the NFL for 16 seasons as he became the Eagles head coach in 2021. In 2023 he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs.
'He's the same guy, I have a picture of Nick getting a haircut. He had the biggest smile on his face because he was with the star of the team getting a haircut after a game,' said Kehres. 'That smile and that happiness, that's still what I see in Nick. I'm really glad that I got to get this haircut, I'm really glad that I'm coaching these Eagles, I'm all in on the haircut and I'm all in on the Eagles.'
The Mount Union star now leads the Eagles in a Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs.
'You can't not be yourself, you have to be who you are when you're leading other men or they'll all smell phony in a heartbeat,' said Kehres.
The Eagles take on the Chiefs Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on Fox Youngstown.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
29 minutes ago
- Fox News
Za'Darius Smith: 'Hopefully,' I'm back with the Detroit Lions
Defensive end Za'Darius Smith remains a free agent, but, in the end, he wants to be back with the team that he went to the playoffs with last season, that being the Detroit Lions — who cut him in March. "Hopefully, I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great," Smith told USA TODAY Sports. "When I'm there, I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully, I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit." Smith split the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns and Lions, who acquired him at the NFL trade deadline after suffering a myriad of defensive injuries, including to star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, a 2023 Pro Bowler. In all, Smith finished the 2024 regular season with a combined nine sacks and 35 combined tackles. Smith ranked 21st among edge defenders in pass-rush grade (76.5), 33rd in overall grade (74.7) and 85th in run-defense grade (62.8) according to Pro Football Focus. Now, should Smith return to Detroit, there are some changes on the coaching side, as the Lions lost defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn — who became the new head coach of the New York Jets — and promoted former linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard to the position. They also have a new defensive line coach in Kacy Rodgers, among many other coaching changes. The 32-year-old Smith, who expressed that he's focused on "getting a ring now and winning a championship," thinks he and Hutchinson could be a special duo off the edge. "I'm still a veteran. He's [Hutchinson] still a young guy. I can help him with a lot of things. He's already great, but as a player, there are some tools that I know that I can help him with," Smith said. "And there are some things as a young guy that he can help me with." Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, spent the first four seasons of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens (2015-18), followed by a three-year stint with the Green Bay Packers (2019-21), one season with the Minnesota Vikings (2022) and a season-plus with the Browns before being acquired by the Lions during the 2024 season. Elsewhere, Detroit re-signed defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, defensive end Marcus Davenport and linebacker Ezekiel Turner to one-year deals apiece, while adding defensive tackle Roy Lopez and selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the No. 28 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Last season, the Lions went 15-2 and claimed the No. 1 seed in the NFC before losing to the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round. Detroit's defense surrendered 244.0 passing yards (30th in the NFL), 98.4 rushing yards (fifth), 342.4 total yards (20th) and 20.1 points (seventh) per game. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Joe Flacco talks about 'embarrassing' TikTok dances: 'Be an adult'
Joe Flacco is the elder statesman of the Cleveland Browns quarterback room. Having just turned 40 in January, Flacco has morphed into the "back in my day guy" and is now just one step away from telling the young whippersnappers to get off his lawn. Flacco has embraced that youthful energy in the twilight of his NFL career, taking the opportunity to pose for a fun photo at media day with rookie, Dillon Gabriel. Advertisement Regardless, he continued to provide plenty of entertainment for the media following Wednesday's minicamp practices, turning the session into a chat about social media, TikTok and posting dancing videos online. Flacco began discussing Twitter, now known as X, as it has evolved into a primary source of news. "The difference now is, everybody's getting their stuff from there, and it's treated a little bit more seriously because that is the main news source," Flacco said, via 92.3 The Fan's Daryl Ruiter. "You still have the same thing you always had, which is a million different opinions, but it kind of blends your actual news source with a bunch of other stuff." The quarterback went on to say that Instagram is the only social media platform he's used and made one thing clear –don't expect him to show up in a TikTok dancing video anytime soon. Advertisement "No TikTok dances," Flacco said. "The fact that people want to get on their phones and show people. That's embarrassing! You're an adult. Be an adult. I can't wrap my head around that." He followed up with some advice for the parents. "I get it, you have kids and you wanna have fun with your kids," Flacco added. "Like, have fun with your kids in private." Flacco appears to be no fan of the current social media landscape, but he also extended his media availability to discuss the good old days. While he wasn't walking up and down the rolling hills in 10 feet of snow to school, the quarterback did end up speaking about players who think offseason activities are too hard in the modern NFL. Advertisement "We're out there for an hour 15 minutes and guys think it's hard," Flacco said via Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein, referencing the two-a-days that used to be commonplace in the NFL. He went on to add that organized team activities (OTAs) used to be over two hours, highlighting just how much has changed since he entered the league in 2008. In other words, Flacco was in a reminiscing mood as the Super Bowl champion prepares for his 18th season in the league. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Browns' QB Joe Flacco calls TikTok dances 'embarrassing'
New York Times
37 minutes ago
- New York Times
New Jets OC Tanner Engstrand is already winning over players: Minicamp observations
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Tanner Engstrand walked into the press conference room on Wednesday with a smile on his face and a pep in his step. They all do in the beginning. Most don't last, not around here. Offensive coordinators, play-callers, they've shuffled through these halls and many, most, have failed to meet the expectations set out when they were hired. This is an organization that hasn't finished a season even in the Top-20 in scoring offense since 2015, when they were 11th. In the nine seasons since, they've ranked in the NFL's bottom-five six times. Advertisement In recent years, the Jets' star players have had a decidedly harder time biting their tongue. Mike LaFleur was fired after the 2022 season when some players made it clear in exit meetings they didn't think he was the right man for the job. It got worse — way worse — with Nathaniel Hackett, hand-picked to help guide an Aaron Rodgers-led scheme. It was a disaster, until he was demoted last season and replaced by Todd Downing. It got slightly better, but not much. Now the Jets are resting their hopes on the shoulders of Engstrand, who — like LaFleur before him — has never called plays in the NFL before. He does have experience as a playcaller at the University of San Diego (2011-17) and in the XFL (2020). He learned under Dan Campbell and Ben Johnson with the Detroit Lions over the last few years, and both Campbell and Johnson insist Engstrand was a crucial piece of one of the most creative and explosive offenses in the NFL. So far, Engstrand is winning over the best players in his Jets offense, namely running back Breece Hall, wide receiver Garrett Wilson and quarterback Justin Fields. Engstrand, together with head coach Aaron Glenn, has cultivated an offensive scheme built around Fields' skillset as a dual threat. 'I see a smart guy,' Fields said. 'He's very smart, very intellectual about the game. He knows what he's talking about, for sure, with all the positions. Quarterback, receiver, running backs. He knows ball and he wants (us) to be the most explosive offense in the NFL and we're going to work to be that.' The plan is to run the ball — a lot, and certainly a lot more than they did last year. (It would be hard to run it less; they were 32nd in rush attempts.) 'I feel like a lot of offenses in the NFL are pretty similar,' Hall said. 'It's just, I know Tanner loves to run the ball. For me, just getting ready for that. He also knows how I can be effective in the pass game. He and (Glenn) always tell me: Breece, you're going to do everything. So for me it's just getting ready to do everything. I have to be ready to be a three-down back.' Advertisement That last part is crucial: Late in 2023, Hackett admitted he had no idea that Hall had the ability to be a contributor in the passing game until midway through the season. The Jets, it seems, won't have that issue with Engstrand. 'He has natural hands like a receiver,' Fields said of Hall. And then there's Wilson, never afraid to hide his frustrations with Hackett and LaFleur over the last few years. Too often last year, Wilson was ignored in crucial situations, specifically in the red zone. If OTAs and minicamp are any indication, that won't happen anymore. Fields has been targeting Wilson early and often throughout the spring — and Wilson has caught just about all of those throws, often in acrobatic fashion. 'I know AG talked about, 'Hey, what are we going to do with Garrett? We're going to give him the ball as much as we can,'' Engstrand said during OTAs. 'And you know what, I'm in on it.' The Jets have lacked an explosive, high-scoring offense and they're banking on Engstrand (and Fields) being the ones to change that. Tuesday and Wednesday were two of the more productive days for the Jets' passing offense, moving quickly during team drills and making those explosive plays down the field. Here are some observations from Wednesday's practice: Fields had probably his best day of the spring on Wednesday — at least in terms of highlight reel-worthy throws. On Tuesday, Glenn called out a play on which Fields moved outside the pocket and then threw it away when nobody was open rather than forcing it, something he's had some trouble with throughout his career. Wednesday was more about the throws he did make. Fields connected with Wilson on a deep ball — probably a 40-yard completion — getting it to his star receiver despite tight coverage from cornerback Brandon Stephens. Fields dropped it right into a place where only Wilson could get. Advertisement A couple plays later, Fields one-upped himself: As multiple pass rushers neared, clouding his vision, Fields calmly connected with wide receiver Josh Reynolds, covered by safety Andre Cisco, on a corner route with perfect accuracy for a short touchdown. To that point, Fields had completed 5 of 7 passes — one incompletion thrown just a little too far for tight end Mason Taylor, the other broken up by cornerback Michael Carter II, intended for Reynolds. His last drive was less impressive. He completed a pass to Taylor who then had it poked away for a fumble out of bounds, then he overthrew Reynolds and missed Wilson on a goal line pass to end the drive. But overall it was a good day for the Jets quarterback, who has been much more decisive after he had been holding onto the ball a touch too long during OTAs open to the media. In total, Fields completed three passes to Wilson, one to Braelon Allen, one to Reynolds and one to Taylor. Safety Tony Adams — competing with rookie Malachi Moore to start — did stop Fields at the goal line on a run and made sure to let him know about it, loudly, in the immediate aftermath. 'I know he can run, but I can run too,' Adams said afterward. 'It's fun. I can't wait for training camp because it's going to get real.' Wednesday was the first time Hall spoke publicly since trade rumors surfaced around the NFL Draft suggesting that the Jets were looking to move him. Those turned out to be unfounded. Hall said he saw the rumors for the first time on social media and thought, 'we'll see what happens.' 'If people feel like you aren't doing your job, you're going to be replaced,' He said on Wednesday. The logic: He was coming off a down year in 2024 and 2025 is a contract year. But the Jets were never actually shopping him — Glenn made sure to call Hall when the rumors started to make sure he understood that too. Advertisement '[Glenn] told me: 'You think I want to trade you?' I was like 'I don't know.' He's like 'Breece, I don't want to trade you, you're going to be here, you're our running back. That felt really good.' Hall is highly motivated coming off a down year — he averaged 4.2 yards per carry, a career-worst, and never had 20 carries in a game — and admitted that he was dealing with a 'pretty serious' knee injury down the stretch of the season. He's completely healed now, he said. • Defensive end Micheal Clemons opened 11-on-11 drills with a tackle for loss on a Fields designed run. Clemons is the early favorite to fill in for Jermaine Johnson until Johnson returns from his Achilles injury. Glenn said on Tuesday that Johnson could start training camp on the PUP list but should be ready to return for Week 1. • Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and linebacker Jamien Sherwood would have had sacks against Fields if the Jets were counting them. With the reserve units, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (on Tyrod Taylor), defensive tackle Fatorma Mulba (on rookie Brady Cook) and edge Braiden McGregor (on Adrian Martinez) also had sacks. • Defensive back Isaiah Oliver was the one to force a fumble on Taylor. Oliver has stood out as a playmaker this spring. • Wide receiver Allen Lazard made a nice play on a jump ball on a pass from Taylor during team drills. Engstrand lauded Lazard for his effort to learn a new system and to fit into a scheme he's never played before. • Taylor scrambled for a touchdown during team drills and celebrated with Fields after the play. They've cultivated a handshake that ends with them pretending to shoot a basketball. • Undrafted rookie receiver Jamaal Pritchett made a nice play on a deep ball from Martinez during team drills. Pritchett (listed at 5-foot-8) is also competing for the punt returner job with Xavier Gipson and others.
