Nick Sirianni’s boldness led Eagles to brink of Super Bowl 2023 title

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Before kickoff, Nick Sirianni shed more than a few tears.

By the end of the night, it was Andy Reid who had the last laugh.

Sirianni, the 41-year old, second-year head coach, got his team out of the gate fast Sunday night in Super Bowl XLII but could not get his team across the finish line first. The Eagles dominated the first half but got overrun in the second half, losing 38-35 to the Chiefs on a late field goal by Harrison Butker.

As losses in championship games go, this one was quite a downer.

“I reminded them of all the things we went through in our lives, something that was adversity, we’ll overcome this, too,’’ Sirianni said afterward. “We’ll use this pain to motivate us, we’ll use this pain to motivate us so we can make it a strength.’’

Before kickoff, as country singer Chris Stapleton was singing the national anthem, Sirianni could be seen getting quite emotional, tears flowing down his cheeks. During the week, Sirianni predicted standing on the sideline before the game would lead to an introspective moment.

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“I’ve been dreaming of this since I’ve been 2 years old,’’ Sirianni said. “I was telling the guys some of you have been dreaming about this since you’ve been 2 years old. We’ve all been dreaming of it. Growing up in the family of a football coach, this is what you dream of being in this moment, just emotional in that moment.’’

For one half, Sirianni had things going his way, flashing the aggressive tendencies that have made him a big deal in Philadelphia. The Eagles in the second quarter were on the Kansas City 45-yard line and faced a fourth-and-5. Clearly, they were not in field-goal range and this was not a short-yardage situation. Sirianni certainly could have called for a punt and no one would have questioned his decision. If he opted to go for it on fourth down and failed, he would hand Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs the ball near midfield — not an attractive option.

Sirianni does not think much about failure. He never hesitated at all as he kept his offense on the field. Jalen Hurts made his head coach look smart, taking advantage of a gaping hole up the middle to scoot 28 yards to the Chiefs’ 16-yard line.

Three plays later, Sirianni did it again. It was fourth-and-2 on the Kansas City 8-yard line, a chip-shot field goal for Jake Elliott. No chance. Not for Sirianni. He goes for the jugular. The Eagles, the most lethal team in the NFL in converting quarterback sneaks, never had to snap the ball. Defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi was called for a neutral-zone infraction, handing the Eagles a first down. Hurts ran untouched into the end zone from 4 yards out and it was 21-14.

Sirianni’s golden touch was lost in the second half.

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After the game, in the hallway outside the Chiefs’ locker room, Sirianni crossed paths with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt. The two shook hands.

“Congratulations,’’ Sirianni said.

“You should be proud,’’ Hunt told him. “You guys are going to do great things.’’

Sirianni’s first NFL job was with the Chiefs as an offensive quality control coach in 2009 and he stayed with the team until Andy Reid took over in 2013 and opted not to retain him.

“Thank you for giving me my start,’’ Sirianni told Hunt before quietly walking away.