Former Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil, a resident of East Fallowfield, was a big proponent of hiring Doug Pederson as the team’s coach, despite opposition at the time, writes Steve Bennett for the Hazleton Standard-Speaker.

“What I first saw was a great background and history as a backup quarterback in the league,” said Vermeil. “A lot of times with that backup experience, the quarterback learns more about the game than if you are starting. The backup has to prepare to play with very little reps and you have to concentrate.”

Vermeil also noted the coaches Pederson played or worked for as another sign of his future success.

“There was Mike Holmgren, Jon Gruden, and, of course, Andy Reid,” he said.

Now, Pederson has proved Vermeil right and his detractors wrong by leading the Eagles to their first Super Bowl victory.

Read more about Dick Vermeil’s belief in Doug Pederson in the Hazleton Standard-Speaker here.