Three years away from Moorestown only made the heart grow fonder for Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and his wife, Jeannie.
Now that they are back, with Doug in his second year as the Eagles’ head coach, Moorestown and South Jersey are brighter and better than ever.
“It’s been great, everything we thought, everything we knew and everything we expected. We love living in South Jersey and love living in Moorestown,” says Pederson, who first lived in the town as an Eagles assistant coach from 2009 to 2012 before leaving for Kansas City to become the offensive coordinator of the Chiefs from 2013 to 2015.
Jeannie and Doug Pederson (Photos: Philadelphia Eagles)
“Having been there before obviously makes it better coming back again. We’re in a different home in a different part of the neighborhood where we lived before. We still see a lot of the friends we had when Drew, our oldest, was going to Moorestown High School. It’s a great place. It’s laid-back. It’s sort of rural and country, which we like.”
Doug and Jeannie still have the same favorite spots, although the list has expanded, and they rekindled relationships with many of the same people. The biggest difference, of course, is that now Doug is the head coach of the Eagles. Everyone knows his face. Everyone knows his name.
And while no doubt many of the people he runs into have an opinion about the team’s successes or failures or expectations for the season ahead, Doug says they usually keep their comments to an encouraging word or two of good luck.
“Being there now as the head coach is different. If I’m getting gas now, you know, people recognize who I am. If I go to a store, people kind of say, ‘Hey, isn’t that…’”, he says. “But it’s been awesome, it really has.”
“The people have all been great – very positive about the Eagles and the direction the team is taking. They do know I am the head coach, but at the same time they appreciate that I’m there, and I’m among them. I’m just a regular guy in Moorestown.”
“Moorestown is a perfect place to raise a family,” Doug says. “Great people, and it’s beautiful. Very peaceful. We couldn’t ask for anything more. Coming back to coach here and having the chance to live again in South Jersey, we’re so very, very happy as a family.”
He’s a regular guy with one son in high school and two more in college (Drew is off to graduate school at the University of Cincinnati, studying architecture, and middle son Josh plays football at Louisiana-Monroe). And while there isn’t a whole lot of “hanging out” time, he and Jeannie have their favorite spots to enjoy in South Jersey:
Favorite Sushi:
Yokohama Sushi and Hibachi, Maple Shade
“We love the sushi, love the place. We knew it when we were there the first time, and it’s really great,” he says.
Favorite Italian:
Barone’s Tuscan Grill Restaurant, Moorestown
“Excellent Italian food, and a great atmosphere. Another longtime favorite of ours.”
Favorite Pizza and Catering:
Maurizio’s Bistro, Moorestown
“It’s a new place, and it’s fantastic. The Grandma Pizza is delicious. We’ve gotten to know the owners and love them. Sometimes we’ll have friends over to the house after a game, and Maurizio’s will cater. It’s a great way to cap off the day, especially after a win.”
Favorite Walk:
“No favorite walk in particular, but where we live it’s very wooded and out of the way. We can actually walk up and down our street and our neighborhood, and it’s picturesque. It’s a long way away from Philadelphia and the hustle and bustle. We love the peace and quiet and all our great neighbors.”
Favorite Golf Course:
“We’re members at Laurel Creek Country Club. What a tremendous golf course. But at the same time, when we go there, we’re just Doug and Jeannie. They know I’m the head coach of the Eagles, but to them I’m just a member. People have gotten to know us, and we’ve enjoyed playing the course and socializing and having a great time.”
Favorite Grocery Store:
“Wegmans in Centerton Square in Mount Laurel. I can’t say I’m the one doing a lot of the shopping, but that place has everything and more. It’s a great, great grocery store and whole lot more than that.”
