JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — A Western New York native is now in the City of Brotherly Love, and living out his dream in the National Football League, from local high school player to the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jamestown’s Nick Sirianni was recently introduced as the Eagles’ newest head coach. In a speech, he addressed more than just his coaches, players, wife, kids, and fans. 

"Thank you to my mom and dad. I just have two wonderful parents that care about me. That have been there for me for everything. That they have been to every sporting event that I've ever been a part of. Thank you for the example that you've given me to be the type of person I want to be," he said.

His parents, Amy and Fran Sirianni, still live in the Jamestown area, and say Nick's love for football started young, following in the footsteps of his dad and two older brothers.

"We were always dragging him to his brother's games. And so he just kind of grew up with football," said Amy Sirianni.

He played at Southwestern High School in West Ellicott, where Fran and Nick's brother Jay are both former coaches.

Fran, who was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, says Nick had second thoughts about the sport.

"I think maybe in high school he was thinking of giving up football. He thought he was going to be an NBA basketball player. But again we're glad he decided to stay with football. He's been blessed through the whole process," said Fran Sirianni.

From high school, it was on to a successful playing career at the University of Mount Union in Ohio, where he also later coached, before another coaching stint at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

While there, Nick reached out to longtime friend, then-Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Todd Hayley, for a job, who he had met years prior while Haley was vacationing in Bemus Point on Chautauqua Lake. The two also wound up working out together at the Lakewood YMCA and were roommates during the summer.

"When you talk about people working their way up through businesses, and starting like maybe at the bottom and then working their way up, well that's what Nick did," said Amy Sirianni.

Nick started with the Chiefs as quality control then quarterback and wide receiver coach before being part of the staff fired and replaced under current head coach Andy Reid.

He again served in the same roles with the then-San Diego Chargers, before becoming the offensive coordinator under former Buffalo Bills quarterback Frank Reich and the Indianapolis Colts.

"He was kind of frustrated when he left Kansas City but then it was a climb upwards from there and now it's history. He's a head coach in the NFL," said Fran Sirianni.

And Nick couldn't wait to share that news with his parents after accepting the job.

"Nick was very excited. This was a dream of his. He was emotional. We all became emotional. It's kind of surreal that this is actually happening," said Amy Sirianni.

"We know now that he was ready. He's ready to be a head coach in the NFL. Excited and anxious all at the same time," said Fran Sirianni.

Equally as excited: members of the local community, who continue to send the family well-wishes.

"I don't think it matters kind of where you're from. A small-town atmosphere doesn't hold you back from pursuing your dreams," said Amy Sirianni.

"It's just an awesome situation for everybody here in the community. When it was announced on TV and we saw him on TV, we said, ‘is that really our son? Is that really happening to him,’" said Fran Sirianni.

The Siriannis say Nick is now working day and night to put his own staff together, in hopes of building a winning team — and keeping with the tradition of having Mom and Dad in the stands.

"[They] had season tickets in Indianapolis when they live in Jamestown, New York. I'm quite positive they'll have season tickets here in Philadelphia," said Nick Sirianni.

"We plan on going next year." said Amy Sirianni.

And learning the team's fight song.

"Fly, Eagles Fly. And I don't know the rest of the words. I have to learn them," said Amy Sirianni.