Nick Sirianni didn't hold back after Eagles beat Colts — this one was for Frank Reich

INDIANAPOLIS — This one was for Frank Reich — Nick Sirianni’s mentor, friend, and the man he believes should’ve been on the opposing sideline when the former Colts offensive coordinator made his return to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Before the Eagles took on the Colts, Sirianni downplayed the emotional impact of returning to the place where he spent three seasons as offensive coordinator under his mentor.

“This game’s not about my relationship with anybody in the building or Frank,” he said Wednesday.

But after everything that’s happened in the last few weeks — Reich’s firing, Jeff Saturday being named the Colts interim coach, and a come-from-behind Eagles win at his old stomping grounds — Sirianni let loose.

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With the clock winding down on the Eagles’ 17-16 win, Sirianni found some Eagles fans behind the team’s bench to celebrate with. After the game, he exhaled before sharing an embrace with the team’s general manager, Howie Roseman, and wiping his eyes before heading into the locker room.

“I’m emotional because I love Frank Reich, I really do,” Sirianni said after the game. “He’s one of the best damn coaches I’ve ever been around. I was hoping he and I would be able to coach against each other in this game. … You don’t want to know what I think if he should be here or not, but you guys can probably imagine what I really think.”

Jalen Hurts, who engineered a fourth-quarter scoring drive that culminated with a seven-yard scramble into the end zone, gave his head coach the game ball.

“I know it’s special to him,” Hurts said. “He spent a lot of time here in Indianapolis. He has a lot of memories here. It was a great homecoming for him. Coming off the field, he got a little emotional. Coach doesn’t get enough credit for what he does and what he’s meant for us.”

It would have been an emotional day for Sirianni regardless of the game’s outcome. But a win, in dramatic fashion, made it a day he’ll never forget.

“It was good to see some of the guys I really cared about — Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Parris Campbell, I got to talk to them after the game. Kenny Moore. It means a lot when they say some things that I’ll keep to myself,” Sirianni said.

For at least one game, Sirianni silenced the critics who said his team can’t defend against the run. Coming into the game, the Eagles’ defense had allowed 4.7 yards per carry, among the worst in the league. Jonathan Taylor averaged just 3.8 yards on 22 carries against the Eagles. After the opening drive, in which Taylor carried the ball six times for 47 yards and a touchdown, he averaged just 2.3 yards per carry the rest of the way.

“The defensive coaches did an unbelievable job, the defensive players did an unbelievable job,” he said. “I’ve been in this stadium when those offensive linemen over there, Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, have taken over a game. That’s a good offensive line. Jonathan Taylor is a good back. There was not much there at all. It was awesome.”

A win against the 4-6-1 Colts isn’t the end goal for an Eagles team that is 9-1 and has the best record in the league. But it’s special nonetheless.

“I spent a lot of time here. One of my children was born here. It was sweet to come here, especially with what’s happened in this organization the past couple weeks, and get the win," Sirianni said.

“The win,” he emphasized. “We’re leaving Indianapolis with a win.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Nick Sirianni talks Frank Reich after Eagles win over Colts