What Does the Hiring of Josh McDaniels by the Broncos Mean for the Chiefs GM Search?

by Joel Thorman on Jan 12, 2009 10:34 AM CST in GM Search Comment 37 comments

Get used to this face on the Denver sideline.

When I caught wind of the news that the Broncos have hired Josh McDaniels as head coach I didn't know what to think. On the one hand, there's been plenty of speculation that the Chiefs #1 candidate, Scott Pioli, wanted to bring along his offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. On the other hand, other rumors had him linked to Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.

At this point, all we really know is that McDaniels won't be the next head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. But because Clark Hunt and Co. have been holding everything so tight to the vest, we'll have to speculate on what McDaniels' hiring means.

There are several scenarios we'll investigate.

Scenario #1: Hunt told Pioli Herm is staying for the 2009 season.

Though this possibility is out there, the likelihood of it happening isn't great. Hunt said he would be involved in the decision making process regarding Edwards' future in Kansas City. I've long believed that our owner is very Pro-Herm and wants him back next season.

However, many reports/speculation indicate that despite Hunt's apparent approval of Herm, he isn't likely to saddle a GM with a head coach he doesn't want.

So, if Hunt did indeed tell Pioli that Herm is sticking around, it's a good possibility that it's a deal breaker for the man in New England. With that said, I don't see Hunt putting more emphasis on the head coach position than the GM position. Pioli's the guy right now, and a head coach wouldn't deter the Chiefs from nabbing him.

Scenario #2: Pioli told McDaniels he is headed back to New England.

Unfortunately, I'm starting to believe this scenario more and more despite rampant reports/speculation that the two sides have intensified talks.

If you're McDaniels, I don't understand why you wouldn't want to work with someone like Pioli who has familiarity and a proven track record of success. Maybe the two sides never had a supposed agreement that would make them a package deal wherever they went. Maybe they did.

Either way, McDaniels and Pioli have likely been talking and something was said that made McDaniels make a move this weekend. If the two sides had any sort of deal throughout this GM/Coach hiring cycle, then this decision would place Pioli back in New England.

Scenario #3: Pioli and McDaniels never had a "package deal" and the McDaniels hiring was a decision made independent of Pioli.

Despite all the connections between the two, the NFL is still a business and these men still make decisions based on what's best for each of them.

Remember, a case can easily be made that the Denver head coaching job is the best opportunity out there. It's perceived that the Chiefs and Pioli been dragging their feet regarding any actual movement to a deal that would place Pioli in Kansas City.

So, if you're McDaniels, why would you wait on 'Will he or won't he' Pioli and instead take the job that he thinks gives him the best opportunity to succeed?

At the end of the day, I think this McDaniels hire does affect the Chiefs GM search. Maybe we'll stil hire Pioli, but in my eyes this certainly has shifted the momentum of the public perception to Pioli heading back to New England.

Also keep in mind that pretty much all of our information at this point is still speculative. We know the Chiefs don't have a press conferenced scheduled. We know that talks with Pioli are ongoing. But that's about all we know. The rest is speculation.

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Starting to get that feeling...

I’m starting to get that feeling of disappointment. Clark is taking WAY too long on this! We’re losing head coaching prospects and next we’ll lose coordinator prospects as they start to get snatched up by the new head coaches around the league! I’m getting the feeling that Herm is going to be back and Clark will probably only hire a GM that wants to work with Herm. We continue to be an embarrassment in this league.

by RoyalChief8569 on Jan 12, 2009 10:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Is the sky falling too?

Sorry, but I disagree. I would much rather have our new GM in place before we go about hiring a HC, and if we’re trying to get the right GM, the one that is pretty much the consensus best man for the job, I would much rather Clark work out a contract with him, rather than let him slip away cause we wanted a 32 year old rookie HC.

Until our GM is in place, I think I’ll wait to pass judgment on how Clark is handling this, and by no means do I think anything he’s done in this process proves as “an embarassment in this league”

by Chiefs n Chopper on Jan 12, 2009 12:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Reading The Tea Leaves Is A Fool's Game

Frankly, I think it’s rash to assume anything from McDaniels’ hiring considering that a) any talk that they’re a package deal is purely speculative, b) Denver was clearly one of the top jobs and McDaniels may have been given personnel control in Denver for all we know (which some coaches seem to think is a guarantor of success although the results clearly show otherwise) and c) none of us have heard Scott Pioli, Clark Hunt, Josh McDaniels or anyone else in the know say anything on the matter one way or another.

As for Pioli himself, maybe he ends up here, maybe he doesn’t. No clue. He seems to have his father-in-law’s fear of commitment when it comes to job interviews. Personally, I just wish the Chiefs would figure out whether he’s coming here or not and get the GM situation resolved before the Super Bowl so the Chiefs can start preparing for next season. If Pioli’s so ambivalent about coming here, he’s probably not the GM for this franchise (or possibly any other) and Hunt should just move on to the next candidate. Plenty of other fish in the sea.

Herm Edwards will not be the Chiefs' head coach next season.

by UCrawford on Jan 12, 2009 10:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

While I do hope we get Pioli, I think that reading too much into the McDaniels’ hire is pure speculation. I think Pioli wants Herm gone, and wants him gone before he is hired. I read that somewhere, (maybe here). Anyway, I think we will know this week.

by ryan_andersen98 on Jan 12, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope you’re wrong…. I’ll freak if we don’t hire Pioli. I’ve been dreaming that we’ve hired him, and when I wake up in the morning, I’m disapointed. I can’t take this anymore!

by EyePod on Jan 12, 2009 11:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Herm

We should have fired Herm from the start. Therefore we would have been able to interview GM’s and HC’s simultaneously. I mean if Piolo is wavering on the Chiefs and the Broncos say take it or leave it by a certain time, McDaniels has to make a choice.

I personally believe Pioli doesn’t know what he wants and that McDaniels knew this and couldn’t wait around. Think about it, if Pioli says no to the Chiefs and the Broncos moved on, not only has he lost the Denver job, there’s no job in KC for him. BUT if we would have fired Herm, we could have approached Pioli and McDaniels simultaneously and if Pioli decided to go back to New England, the KC head coaching job would still be there for McDaniels. I know McDaniels is a hot commodity but with her still being our HC, there is one less job for him to go to AS OF NOW.

Once again, Herm is hurting the Chiefs organization.

Herm Edwards - the new Art Shell.

by CBaller13 on Jan 12, 2009 11:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What if McDaniels isn't Pioli's HC candidate?

Then if you’ve fired Herm, you undermine the new GM’s authority showing that you’re going to be the one calling the shots. Oh, and you’ve just hired a coach who possibly wasn’t the one your GM wanted. Not the ideal way to start out a relationship/make the Chiefs GM job more appealing.

by Chiefs n Chopper on Jan 12, 2009 12:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, just like the crazy Browns did. No GM wants to go there now.

by EyePod on Jan 12, 2009 1:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You guys

Are funny- There was never anything solid about Pioli/McDaniels, it just seemed to make sense because the two were from NE and both looking elsewhere for work. I wouldn’t at all be deterred by this, especially because we don’t know anything and frankly aside from this post everything has looked positive this morning about us landing Pioli.

home, of the....CHIEEEEEFS!

by Holmeslice on Jan 12, 2009 11:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Personally I think the whole hang up

in the negotiations for Pioli’s services has been Herm Edwards. I think Clark Hunt is standing by Edwards (vis a vis) the dismissal of Carl Peterson. I think Carl Peterson’s dislike of the way Herm Edwards was doing things led to his demise and Clark taking sides with Herm. I also think the deal breaker with Pioli is/will be Clark insisting on the return of Herm Edwards. Either way it does not speak well of Clark Hunt. Missing out on Pioli in order to retain Herm Edwards. You’ve got to be kidding me.

by G.L. on Jan 12, 2009 11:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm starting to get really angry

We need to fire Herm.

We need Spagnula or Cowher or someone decent. IF HERM IS RETAINED I AM NOT A CHIEFS FAN IN 2009.

Herm Edwards - the new Art Shell.

by CBaller13 on Jan 12, 2009 11:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll Still Be A Chiefs Fan If Herm's Back

But I’ll be even more critical than last season and I’ll be adding Clark Hunt to the list of criticisms, especially if it turns out the Chiefs didn’t close the deal on Pioli so they could save Herm’s incompetent ass.

You could have given Herm the 2007 Patriots and he’d still have been lucky to squeeze 10 wins out of that team. The man has no business holding a job as a head coach in this league. If he comes back next year this team will be lucky to win 4 games.

Herm Edwards will not be the Chiefs' head coach next season.

by UCrawford on Jan 12, 2009 11:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Although

I honestly don’t believe Clark will bring Herm back. The fans won’t stand for it and they’ll stay away in droves if they think the team’s not serious about trying to compete next season (and I don’t think Clark Hunt is too foolish to recognize this). Herm’s lost too much credibility with the fan base.

Herm Edwards will not be the Chiefs' head coach next season.

by UCrawford on Jan 12, 2009 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

SO FIRE HIM NOW!

There’s no reason to appear to have a coach. Get him out. I’m seriously not a fan next year if he’s around. I’ve loved many sports for a long time but I’ve never come to this point with a coach. A 4-12 year followed by a 2-14 year are immediate grounds for removal.

Herm Edwards - the new Art Shell.

by CBaller13 on Jan 12, 2009 11:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Fire him now. I do enjoy watching him twist in the wind, but come on. No GM candidate that we want should be satisfied with those results, nor will he be. He will want to bring in his own candidate. We should part ways with Harm, and move on. Most (if not all) of the coordinators should go too. And I think they will. Lets just get it done, so the first official action of the GM doesn’t have to be firing the coach. Harm back or not, I will still be a fan, however a more frustrated, angry, and less interested fan if he returns.

by ryan_andersen98 on Jan 12, 2009 12:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

BYE

by DLChiefs on Jan 12, 2009 11:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Of all the coaching positions available

Denver is the premier pick. Hot young QB with a pretty good team around him. You basically win the division without trying as long as you don’t lose the last three games of the season. No pissing about with two or three years of rebuilding and false hope. McDaniels would eb a fool to turn it down and I seriously doubt he needs Pioli to hold his hand.

Blame my wife!

by sir eccles on Jan 12, 2009 11:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

He may be assembling a hell of a staff

It is rumored that Dom Capers and Mike Nolan will be joining him in Denver. Both are former head coaches.

Indecision is the key to flexibility

by cmpotter on Jan 12, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I am with you, UCrawford. I will

be a Chiefs fan no matter what. But, I really hope we don’t have to endure another year like this last one with Herm Edwards at the helm. Who do you suppose he will blame for his failures if he is back next year?

by G.L. on Jan 12, 2009 11:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Broncos

pulled a c-block move. Makes me hate them more.

by kcchiefs86 on Jan 12, 2009 11:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

They are more focused on HC and us on GM

I don’t think it will matter in the end.

Indecision is the key to flexibility

by cmpotter on Jan 12, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I Disagree

Once the GM is hired, no matter who it is, he will decide the best way forward for the Chiefs. No GM, I don’t care who it is, will set himself up for failure. If he thinks Herm is the best man for this next year, then I believe he must have made an educated decision and it will be the best for the Chiefs. Then they can evaluate his body of work from rebuild through two seasons.

Looking at many of the comments, and knowing that there is no actual / factual reporting, I believe some are getting angry about speculation on speculative reporting. All of these possibilities are just that….pssibilities. It is also possible that Clark will hire Shottenheimer as the GM and his son as the HC. That’s improbable, but it is possible. I enjoy a little speculation as well, but it isn’t worth getting angry over. I’m just going to wait and see. The sooner the better.

by TXChiefan on Jan 12, 2009 11:46 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Forgot to add

I honestly believe that Herm will be let go and the new GM will bring in his coach. I’m good with that, again, knowing the new front office will do everything possible to improve our team.

by TXChiefan on Jan 12, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I Think Fans Are Just Frustrated Because There's No News At All

Chiefs fans care about their team, they just want to know that progress is being made. It’s been a long two seasons and they’re tired of feeling like the team’s dragging its feet. I think most of them can certainly understand the Chiefs wanting to take their time and make sure that they get a good GM to replace Peterson, but they also don’t want it to drag out to the point where we’re handicapped in the future because it took so long.

And I’m starting to wonder about Pioli anyway and question if he’s just a huge tease like Parcells was. Parcells pulled this same kind of crap with every team he’s interviewed with since the Giants (I especially remember how he strung the Buccaneers along forever, then pulled out of consideration at the last moment and screwed them for the next year). If Pioli’s pulling that same kind of crap, frankly I’d rather the Chiefs move onto the next candidate because it’s never really been worth it for most of those teams to wait on Parcells (only the Patriots even made a Super Bowl with him on board). I don’t think it’s really worth it for any team to wait too long on any candidate. Hopefully, though, the rumor about the Chiefs telling other candidates they’re out of consideration will turn out to be true for the reasons they stated (that Pioli’s on the way in) but if they’re not and this is going to take another month, I just wish Hunt would accept that it’s too long to wait and move on so Pioli can go be happy in New England and we can find another GM who will get this team back on track.

Herm Edwards will not be the Chiefs' head coach next season.

by UCrawford on Jan 12, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Drop some news . Anything if it was contract talks usually they atleast agree to saying its a done deal just working out some numbers this is getting scary.

by sexassassin on Jan 12, 2009 1:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pure speculation on my part

….I think that although the Pres. and GM positions will be seperate they are working out the details in regards to which current tasks under the Pres. will be done by the GM and vice versa.

Although Pioli wanted “full control” that term may be entirely structured differently under NE as opposed to the Chiefs. In other words, the fine points of GM will be in charge of this list of activities, the Pres. will be in charge of this list and here are some places where tasks overlap.
I believe that they working on the “fine” points.

Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."

Thigpen WILL NOT be the Chiefs starting QB next year IMO. He can compete for the job and should be 2nd or 3rd string.

by THE_TRUTH on Jan 12, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Might Be True As Well

We just have no clue, and that’s where a lot of the frustration comes from.

Herm Edwards will not be the Chiefs' head coach next season.

by UCrawford on Jan 12, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think its a combination of all of the above.

This is all speculation:

While Pioli and McDaniels certaintly flirted with the idea of working together in KC things didn’t pan out that would allow that to happen. McDaniels knew that he would have to wait for Pioli to first be hired as GM of the Chiefs and then he could be brought on. Instead of sitting around waiting for something to potentially happen he decided to just jump at the Broncos position. He did this for two reasons. A.) PIloli going to the Chiefs was still not definite and Piloli only gave him his word that he would be a strong candidate. Thus there was still the added chance that he might pass over him for Ferentz anyways. B.) The Broncos wanted to find a candidate quick and it was way too good an offer to pass up. Come on Chiefs fans you have to admit thats a really nice job opp over there. As for Carl and Herm who really knows. Its impossible to speculate given how much little info we have. He did say thats Herm’s fate would be a decision made between him and the new GM so you got to take his word on that. If not not, we’ll be waiting A LOT longer to find a GM

by AK_47 on Jan 12, 2009 11:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

CHILL OUT

WOW, the speculation is broad and rampant here and everywhere else. I want this to happen as fast as possible, but let’s give Clark some credit here. He’s clearly said that he would take his time doing this, and he’s CLEARLY doing it all on the DL, so there’s no telling what’s REALLY going on. All we have is rampant speculation, particularly with regard to the coaching aspect of this. I know it’s been rumored everywhere, but who says that McDaniels and Ferentz are Pioli’s top coaching choices??? This all unsubstantiated rumor, based on information that Pioli knows these guys. So friggin what? You guys think that we’re all screwed now b/c we can’t hire McDaniels? Please. What if Pioli comes here and hires Cowher?? That would change some minds I suspect. Yeah yeah, Cowher wants ‘total control of personnel’, right? Again, rumor mill – no one really knows. The truth is, there are a LOT of good coaches out there. What provides a franchise with long term stability and many opportunities at post-season success is the GM and the players that he gets. Yes, a coach can make things happen, but he can’t do it without players. Let’s all chill out a bit and trust that Clark is going about this the right way – slowly, carefully, and thoroughly. In the end, we may all be surprised just how well things turn out.

by Keyser Sose on Jan 12, 2009 12:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Come on be reasonable

Are you really expecting us to just sit here waiting for actual news to be released? We have day jobs too you know!

Blame my wife!

by sir eccles on Jan 12, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, well...

Yeah, well, I didn’t say that I LIKED waiting around – I’ve been checking 20x a day everyday for the last week. I can live with that though, so long as he gets this thing done and hires someone good. Pioli would presumably be perfect, but there are others out there that would be good too – let’s just hope that he can find someone that will actually build this franchise into a consistent winner rather than striving for consistent mediocrity.

by Keyser Sose on Jan 12, 2009 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The skepticism is inaccurate

Here’s what is more likely:

1) McDaniels had strong interview with Broncos. He has been considered top candidate for HC jobs now.
2) Broncos saw/heard Pioli being close to deal in KC and didn’t want to risk waiting around to hire the guy they liked. Since there had been rumors of Pioli taking McDaniels, they moved in quick.
3) McDaniels, a young potential guy, couldn’t afford to wait on whatever is happening with Pioli and decided to go after a premium job in Denver.

THAT is how it affects us here in KC.

home, of the....CHIEEEEEFS!

by Holmeslice on Jan 12, 2009 1:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

#2 and #3

Those seem very possible. I imagine this was less Pioli/McDaniels talking behind the scenes and more McDaniels doing what’s best for himself.

by Joel Thorman on Jan 12, 2009 1:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly!

So, Polio (nickname if he sucks) is still very available and all the freaking out is premature. I think Pioli would and will hire whoever fits best with the team he lands at, thus helping his own future career. No guarantee McDaniels would be perceived as a good fit in Kansas City. Plus, who wouldn’t take the Denver job at this point?

by ryan_andersen98 on Jan 12, 2009 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think McDaniels will be very good for Denver.

But last I checked, we need a DEFENSE anyways. The #1,2,3 defenses in the NFL right now? Playing for the SuperBowl next weekend

home, of the....CHIEEEEEFS!

by Holmeslice on Jan 12, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Denver needs a defense too

an even average defense would propel the Donkeys to becoming an AFC powerhouse again.

by PVChiefsfan on Jan 12, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

my for what it's worth department

I could well see Pioli staying in NE but I don’t think McDaniels has anything to do with it one way or the other. I have had some good and even great relationships with supervisors but I take a job based on what it offers me not as a ride-along. McDaniels had a better job offer in Denver, he has a franchise QB and Bowland wasn’t going to wait forever in fact I think he pushed it fearing he had competition in KC (and btw I hear Bronco fans aren’t all that thrilled, they think Bates = McDaniels and they should have got a defensive guy). People have mentioned Ferentz as a guy Pioli likes but I also see Shanahan now out there. Who knows the division or the Chiefs better? I don’t see Herm as a deal breaker, Clark will find him a spot somewhere no big. Thum being a money guy knows the fanbase would go ballistic if he were retained.

by FrankPitts on Jan 12, 2009 2:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs