Doug Williams, former Grambling State star and Super Bowl MVP, likes Eagles head coach Andy Reid’s decision to add ex-Temple standout Todd Bowles to his staff as the team’s secondary coach. Williams knows Bowles extremely well.

They both played on the 1988 Washington Redskins Super Bowl championship team. In addition, Williams hired Bowles to be his defensive coordinator when he first started his coaching career in college.

“Todd went with me to Morehouse (1997) and then he followed me to Grambling (1998–99),” said Williams, Grambling State head coach. “He was my defensive coordinator in both places. I’m going to take my hat off to Andy Reid. I think the Philadelphia Eagles have gotten a steal in Todd. I think he’s going to fit right in and be a big asset to the defensive side of the ball. Todd is one of the sharpest guys around.”

Bowles comes to the Eagles with great credentials. The 12-year NFL coaching veteran was the interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins for the final three weeks this past season, finishing with a 2-1 record after previously serving as the Dolphins assistant head coach/secondary for three seasons (2008–11). Under Bowles, the Miami defensive backs contributed to a defense that held opposing quarterbacks to a 58.1 percent completion rate, fifth-best in the AFC and seventh in the league. His tutelage also helped safety Yeremiah Bell earn a Pro Bowl berth in 2009 after grabbing three interceptions.

Bowles was the secondary coach for the Dallas Cowboys from 2005 to 2007. During that time, Dallas compiled 52 interceptions, tied for third-most in the NFC, and was also the NFC’s fifth-ranked defense, allowing 310.4 per game. He coached three defensive backs to five Pro Bowl appearances: safety Roy Williams (2005–07) along with cornerback Terence Newman and safety Ken Hamlin in 2007.

Bowles was a four-year defensive assistant for Cleveland from 2001 to 2004 as the secondary coach (2004) and the defensive nickel package coach (2001–03). In 2004, the Browns held their opposition to just 181.3 passing yards per game, fifth in the league. Cleveland set a franchise record and led the NFL in 2001 with 33 interceptions, 28 from defensive backs and 10 from rookie Anthony Henry. Bowles made his NFL coaching debut as a defensive backs coach with the New York Jets in 2000, when the team was sixth in the league allowing 183.3 yards per game via the pass.

Bowles, a native of Elizabeth, N.J., was a four-year standout as a defensive back with the Temple Owls from 1982 to 1985. He played eight NFL seasons with the Washington Redskins (1986–90, 1992–93) and San Francisco 49ers (1991). He recorded 15 interceptions and two sacks in 117 career games. Jaiquawn Jarrett, Eagles free safety, played his college football at Temple. Jarrett is looking forward to working with Bowles.

“I got a great feel for him,” Jarrett said. “He’s a Temple alum. I spoke to Miss Nadia (Harvin, assistant to the head coach). She said Todd reminds me of him when he was at Temple. So, it’s going to be great to have an opportunity to play for Coach Todd.”