Highs, lows from Andy Reid's tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles

In 1999, the Eagles hired Andy Reid as the franchise's 20th head coach. The unheralded quarterbacks coach from the Green Bay Packers had no professional experience as an offensive coordinator or head coach. 

But Reid quickly grew into his lofty position and became the winningest head coach (130-93-1) in franchise history. At the end of Reid's tenure in Philadelphia, however, the Eagles fizzled.

The deaths of longtime Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson in 2009 and Reid's son, Garrett, in 2012 from a heroin overdose took a toll on Reid. The Eagles went 4-12 in 2012, and Reid wasn't brought back for a 15th season. 

Let's look at the highs and lows in Philadelphia for Reid, the Chiefs' head coach who faces his old team Sunday in Super Bowl LVII.

High: Coach of the Year

Reid won the award in 2002 after leading the Eagles to a 12-4 record and a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs. During the regular season, Philadelphia lost its starting QB Donovan McNabb and backup A.J. Feeley to injuries in consecutive games.

"Instead of letting his players feel sorry for themselves, Reid coaxed them to perform at a higher level," Philadelphia Daily News columnist John Smallwood wrote.

In the playoffs, the Eagles beat the Atlanta Falcons in the divisional round but lost to Tampa Bay in the NFC Championship Game -- the last NFL game at Veterans Stadium. 

Low: Poor clock management 

Reid drove Eagles fans bonkers with his clock management, an Achilles' heel. 

In a Super Bowl XXXIX loss to the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick Patriots, the Eagles had a chance to take a 14-7 lead heading into halftime. Philadelphia started a drive on its 19-yard line with 63 seconds left and two timeouts. Instead, the Eagles ran out the clock and went into halftime tied at seven.

"I don't remember that at all, to be honest with you," Reid said after being asked about his clock management blunder, via ESPN.

High: Deep playoff runs with stars

Under Reid, the Eagles went to five NFC Championship games in 10 seasons (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008). Reid coached players who became stars for the Eagles, notably McNabb, running back Brian Westbrook and safety Brian Dawkins. 

"Andy Reid is perhaps the most scrutinized and criticized man in Philadelphia," Bleacher Report's Cody Swartz wrote in 2009, "but he's a darn good coach."

Low: Lost three consecutive NFC title games

Three consecutive losses in NFC Championship games (2001-2003) rocked Eagles fans and Reid.

"Andy Reid's legacy is set for at least a year, and quite possibly forever," Ashley Fox of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote after the last loss, against Carolina. "As successful as he has been, as many games as he has won, the Eagles coach has proven unable to win the Big One."

High: McNabb-T.O. lead Eagles to their second Super Bowl 

In March 2004, the Eagles traded for star wide receiver Terrell Owens in a bid to open up the offense. McNabb finally had a receiver to throw to after enduring several seasons with middling James Thrash and Todd Pinkston.

"This shows the dedication of the guys in the organization," said McNabb, who credited Reid, among others, for the move.

The McNabb-Owens connection paid dividends as the Eagles soared to a 13-3 record and won the NFC title. Next up: New England in Super Bowl XXXIX.

Low: Crushing loss to Patriots in Super Bowl

After a late scoring drive, the Eagles cut New England's lead to 24-21 in the fourth quarter. But a McNabb interception -- his third of the game -- doomed the Eagles and Reid.

"McNabb had his destiny wide open," Philadelphia Inquirer columnist Phil Sheridan wrote, "and he threw it away three times."

In the first quarter, Belichick fooled Reid, lining up in a 4-3 defense instead of the Patriots customary 3-4. 

High: Reviving Michael Vick's career

In 2009, the Eagles signed Michael Vick to be their backup quarterback behind McNabb. Vick had just been released from prison after serving a two-year sentence for dog fighting. He spent his first year in Philadelphia learning the offense. 

After the Eagles traded McNabb to Washington in 2010, Reid handed the keys of the offense to Vick. In a "Monday Night Football" win over Washington, he dazzled with six touchdowns -- four passing, two running. 

"I just thank God for putting me with the right group of people, with Andy, with a flagship organization, a great group of coaches," Vick said after winning the 2010 Comeback Player of the Year, per ESPN. "They give me all the credit, but I give them the credit."

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, who didn't renew Reid's contract in 2012, believes his former coach is a first-ballot Hall of Famer (h/t Kansas City Star). 

"He's gonna win more than one (Super Bowl)," the owner said. "I just don't want it to be this Sunday."

[Editor's note: Unlinked quotes come courtesy of newspapers.com.]