Nick Sirianni and the Philadelphia Eagles have decided to improve their coaching staff this offseason after a disappointing 2025 NFL season. Although Philadelphia made the 2026 NFL playoffs, the season ended with a 23-19 wild card loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
During their Super Bowl-winning season of 2024, the Eagles averaged 4.9 yards per rush, top five in the NFL, and 179.3 rushing yards per game, second in the league. Even with the retirement of center Jason Kelce, Philly fans were hopeful that the run-game dominance would carry over to 2025. But the Eagles regressed in the trenches this season, even with Saquon Barkley still leading the charge, averaging 4.1 yards per rush and 71.3 rushing yards per game.
Advertisement
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) hands the football off to running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the game against the Green Bay Packers.Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
(Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images)
With its struggles in 2025, Philadelphia has elected to make numerous coaching changes heading into the 2026 NFL season, including hiring former Green Bay Packer quarterback coach Sean Mannion. But the Eagles weren’t done there.
Fred Hale has spent the last five years with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, becoming the associate director of strength and conditioning for the football team in 2023 after the departure of Matt Balis. Before joining the Fighting Irish, Hale spent four years as the co-director of sports performance at Eastern Michigan. With the help of Hale, Notre Dame football has seen a resurgence under head coach Marcus Freeman, leading them to a national title appearance in 2024.
Advertisement
But following the 2025 college football season, Hale decided it was time for a change, leaving Notre Dame to join the Eagles. He is set to join Sirianni’s staff in a similar role.
“REPORT: The Eagles are hiring Notre Dame strength and conditioning assistant Fred Hale for a similar role with the team,” The Eagles Times wrote on X. “Another addition to the staff this offseason.”
Sirianni and the Eagles will continue to make changes during the offseason, with NFL free agency starting on March 11.
Advertisement
Related: Cowboys Predicted to Pair Quinnen Williams With 12.5-Sack Defensive End
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.