Chip Kelly, Jeffrey Lurie

Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie meets with head coach Chip Kelly at the NFL football team's practice facility during better times. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

(Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, 0-for-22, in his quest to bring in -- his word "championships" -- to a team that hasn't won one since 1960, took another step backward Tuesday night, when he fired head coach Chip Kelly.

Also fired was Ed Marynowitz, who was promoted to oversee the personnel department last winter after Tom Gamble was fired and general manager Howie Roseman was moved out of the personnel department.

What could have possibly caused Lurie to fire Kelly, to whom almost exactly a year ago he the keys to the franchise? And also to toss out Marynowitz, who around the league is raved as one of the bright, young personnel minds in the business?

There are a few possible theories.

A person with knowledge of the Eagles' plans told NJ Advance Media before the firings that "Kelly was going to have to make changes'' if he was going to come back next year.

Asked if those changes were in the personnel department or on the coaching staff, the person, who requested anonymity, replied, "Both."

So maybe Kelly refused to fire defensive coordinator Billy Davis (after the defense melted down this season), or more likely Marynowitz (who missed on several personnel moves, most notably running back DeMarco Murray), or maybe both.

There was also a war going on in the NovaCare Complex between Roseman and Marynowitz, according to several sources inside and outside the building.

"Howie has been poisoning Ed,'' one person with knowledge of the infighting said. "And he has his people doing the same.''

According to several league sources, the firings have Roseman's fingerprints all over it.

"I can't believe it,'' a long-time executive for an Eagles rival said when told of Kelly's firing. "They did what? Are you serious? No, you're kidding right? You can't be serious.''

When he finally realized it wasn't a joke, he put the onus on the former and probably future general manager.

"Howie got him,'' the executive said. "He won. It took him some time, but he got to the owner, and he won. That's just amazing. What is Lurie thinking? That place is just out of control.''

It was New Year's Eve 2014 when Roseman fired Gamble, Kelly's hand-picked personnel man. Two days later, Lurie and Kelly met for hours and when the meeting was over, Kelly emerged as head of personnel. And Roseman was banished to an office on the other side of the complex.

That was 12 months ago.

Now, Kelly is fired. And Lurie, who is scheduled to address the media Tuesday at noon is almost certain to hand power back to Roseman.

The Eagles have named offensive coordinator Pat Shumur as the interim head coach for Sunday's season finale against the Giants. They will begin a search for a new head coach as soon as possible, if they haven't already.

Kelly, who has two years and $13 million left on his contract, could take a year off, or go for one of the several NFL coaching jobs that will likely open after Sunday's final games.

Don't be shocked if he's on a flight to Nashville this weekend to take a job with the Tennessee Titans, where he will be reunited with his college quarterback, Marcus Mariota.

And don't be surprised if the Eagles go another 22 years without one of those "championships."

Mark Eckel may be reached at mjeck04@verizon.net. Follow him on Twitter @MarkEckel08. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.

THE NO-HUDDLE SHOW, Ep. 23: Eagles fire Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman might be to blame