The Philadelphia Eagles have a big decision to make.

It's a decision that will impact the direction of this franchise for at least the next few football seasons.

Get it right, like when the team hired Andy Reid as coach 14 years ago, and fans can ride a wave of success for years to come. Maybe even a Super Bowl.

Get it wrong and the team could sink to even lower depths than a 4-12 season.

So many names are being tossed around right now about who the next potential coach of the Philadelphia Eagles may be.

Which way should owner Jeff Lurie and General Manager Howie Roseman go?

Find a proven winner? Grab someone from the college ranks? Or find a star rising up the NFL coaching ranks?

The Birds interviewed Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong.

They are supposed to meet with Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy Sunday. And there are reports that an interview has been lined up with Oregon's hot coach Chip Kelly.

Kelly showed a national audience Thursday night just how high-powered an offense he could run as his Ducks won 35-17 in the Fiesta Bowl.

Then there was lots of talk about Penn State's Bill O'Brien. Now that might have been the right move.

Based on what he did under incredible circumstances, O'Brien seemed like a sound choice. (The Birds brass interviewed him Thursday.)

He basically resurrected a program crushed by the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, banished by NCAA sanctions and shadowed by Joe Paterno's legacy.

O'Brien got players to rally around him and his program -- something the Eagles desperately need, a coach who can rally the troops and have them buy in. Players didn't do that in Reid's final year.

Keep in mind, too, that O'Brien ran a pro offense at Penn State. And most importantly, he had a big hand in molding Tom Brady into the elite QB that he is during his time as a coach in New England.

But O'Brien pulled out as an NFL coaching candidate late Thursday, saying he wasn't a "one-and-done guy."

Jeff Lurie took a chance on Andy Reid ages ago and his choice turned out pretty well. Reid is now the greatest coach in Philadelphia Eagles history.

Maybe McCoy could turn out to be that real McCoy. Or maybe a name will emerge who isn't on the radar yet.

The Eagles may take their time on this one. After all, it's the team's biggest decision in 14 years.