Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt has been selected as one of two head coaches for this year’s Senior Bowl.
Hurtt will coach the National Team and Saints assistant Joel Thomas will coach the American Team throughout the week in Mobile, Alabama, and in the game on Jan. 31. The Senior Bowl is an annual all-star game and an important step in the evaluation process leading up to the NFL draft.
“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,” NFL executive VP of football operations Troy 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.”
This is the fourth year for the Senior Bowl’s “Coach Up” format, puting NFL assistant coaches in elevated roles for the week of practice and the game in an attempt to show off their skills as coaches. NFL head coaches and general managers from all the non-playoff teams and wild-card participants could nominate coaches. Both Hurtt and Thomas were then selected from the pool.
Hurtt, 47, has been the Eagles’ defensive line coach for the last two seasons. He joined the staff when Vic Fangio was hired before the 2024 season. Hurtt is a former defensive coordinator with the Seahawks from 2022-23 and previously coached under Fangio in Chicago.
Before jumping to the NFL, Hurtt coached for 13 years at the college level at Louisville and Miami. Hurtt played defensive line at Miami in the late 90s.
The Eagles have a few impressive assistants on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive backs coach Christian Parker has garnered DC interest in each of the last two offseasons; the Cowboys this week requested to interview him. Both Parker and Hurtt could potentially be replacement options whenever Fangio decides to retire.
“We are thrilled to have Clint Hurtt as our head coach of the National Team in the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl,” Senior Bowl director Drew Fabianich said in the release. “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.”
The Eagles have always valued the Senior Bowl as a key part of the pre-draft evaluation process and that likely won’t change with one of their top assistants coaching in the game.