At a Glance
- Clint Hurtt will serve as head coach of the National Team at the 2026 Senior Bowl on Jan. 31 in Mobile, Alabama
- Saints assistant Joel Thomas will lead the American Team in the annual pre-draft showcase
- The assignment continues the Senior Bowl’s “Coach Up” program that places NFL assistants in elevated roles
- Why it matters: Hurtt’s selection highlights the Eagles’ growing reputation for developing coaching talent and gives Philadelphia an inside look at draft prospects
Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt will step into a head-coaching role later this month when he leads the National Team at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl, the club announced Tuesday.
Hurtt, 47, will spend the week in Mobile, Alabama, running practices before guiding his squad in the Jan. 31 all-star game. New Orleans Saints assistant Joel Thomas will helm the American Team.
Senior Bowl “Coach Up” Format
The NFL-backed initiative enters its fourth year of appointing NFL assistants as head coaches for the showcase. Non-playoff and wild-card teams could nominate candidates; Hurtt and Thomas were chosen from that pool.
NFL executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent praised the selections:
“This is an opportunity for two excellent coaches, Joel Thomas of the New Orleans Saints and Clint Hurtt of the Philadelphia Eagles, to take the reins as head coaches in leading their staffs and top football athletes in the Senior Bowl’s week-long evaluation of NFL prospects,” Vincent said in the release. “The Senior Bowl is not only a showcase for top football student-athletes, but also a wonderful opportunity for coaches that are nominated by their NFL clubs to further develop their skills and learn from one another.”
Hurtt’s Path to Philadelphia
Hurtt arrived in Philadelphia before the 2024 season when defensive coordinator Vic Fangio reshaped the staff. He had spent the previous two seasons as Seattle’s defensive coordinator and had earlier worked under Fangio in Chicago.
Before joining the NFL, Hurtt logged 13 college seasons at Louisville and Miami, his alma mater, where he played defensive line in the late 1990s.
Senior Bowl director Drew Fabianich highlighted Hurtt’s résumé:
“We are thrilled to have Clint Hurtt as our head coach of the National Team in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl. He is a highly regarded coach with a proven track record throughout his career. Clint will make a positive impact on his players and coaches during the week with his leadership and deep knowledge of the game. He will be a great mentor for the top prospects in the 2026 Draft.”
Eagles Coaching Pipeline
Philadelphia has built a defensive staff that draws outside interest. Defensive backs coach Christian Parker has generated defensive-coordinator buzz in consecutive offseasons; the Cowboys this week requested an interview. Both Parker and Hurtt are viewed internally as potential successors whenever Fangio opts to retire.
The franchise has long treated the Senior Bowl as a vital evaluation hub. With one of their top assistants on the sideline this year, the Eagles will again have premium access to draft prospects throughout the week-long practices and game action.
Key Takeaways
- Hurtt will coach the National Team; Saints assistant Joel Thomas gets the American Team
- The assignment marks the fourth year of the “Coach Up” program designed to showcase NFL assistants
- Hurtt joined the Eagles in 2024 after coordinating Seattle’s defense and working with Fangio in Chicago
- Philadelphia values the Senior Bowl for scouting; Hurtt’s role strengthens the team’s draft insight
