Chiefs Deny Lions Permission to Interview DC Gunther Cunningham

by Joel Thorman on Jan 20, 2009 4:42 PM CST in 2009 Offseason Comment 30 comments

You make me hurt so bad that I can't quit you....yet.

Chris posted a blurb last Friday night that the Detroit Lions new head coach Jim Schwartz requested permission to interview Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham.

As it turns out, permission denied.

According to a league source, the Lions were initially refused permission to talk to Kansas City defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham about taking the same position with Detroit.

Tom Kowalski of MLive.com is reporting that the Lions are still waiting for permission to speak with Cunningham.

Schwartz and Cunningham previously coached together for 3 seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Maybe this is part of the harsh, never help your opponent attitude that permeated from Boston while Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli were teamed together. If so, I like it. Why help any opponent, even the slightest bit, when you don't have to?

What I don't like, however, is the possibility that Gunther Cunningham and his historically bad pass rush will still be in Kansas City next season. Maybe the Chiefs should have granted that interview to painlessly terminate their relationship with Cunningham.

UCrawford has more discussion in the FanPosts.

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Damn

Posted simultaneously…both at 5:42. Nice work, Chris.

This is just weird, though…why on earth would the Chiefs deny permission to Gunther at this point if they’ve told the coaches they’re free to look for other jobs? They’ve already let Priefer and Gibbs walk, so why are they keeping Gunther here?

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 4:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

Meant “Nice work, Primetime” :)

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

Don’t ever confuse me with that Socialist, Chris. :)

by Joel Thorman on Jan 20, 2009 5:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Is A Commie?

Sorry about that brother…didn’t mean to lump you in with the vile ones. :)

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You crazy statists

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Jan 20, 2009 5:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Huh?

I’m one of the anti-statists…tending towards anarchist. :)

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 5:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anarchist eh?

I think we’re all hoping you’re on board for the Rothbardian breed of anarchism and none of the hippie Proudhon kumbaya nonsense.

by Sudden on Jan 20, 2009 6:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, It's Definitely Rothbard-Like

Minus the underlying racism that Rothbard preached in trying to whip up hatred against the poor.

Basically I like a lot of his ideas but I’ve formed the impression that Rothbard himself was a rotten old bigot.

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 6:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not One Of Those Commies Pretending To Be Anarchist Though

I think that there’s nothing more laughable than a bunch of college dropouts running through the streets crying “Anarchy” while demanding free health care. :)

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cue the smart-assed comments

Isn’t letting another team have Gun “hurting” that opponent?

I’m only going to look at it from an absurdist point of view because I refuse to contemplate his retention…

"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football"
- John Heisman

by Maddogmag on Jan 20, 2009 4:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Shit be crazy

by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 20, 2009 4:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Also

Why help any opponent, even the slightest bit, when you don’t have to?

But the Lions aren’t an opponent next season. We’ve got the NFC East. So why would Pioli be worried about Gunther going there…in fact it looks like a really good place to let Gunther go for the Chiefs.

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 4:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

They are if they're in the Super Bowl next year against us :)

But I was more making the point why do anything that isn’t directly related to your own interests when you don’t have to? I guess there’s some sort of professional courtesy when it comes to these things.

by Joel Thorman on Jan 20, 2009 4:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a rollerCoaster

I wish pioli and clark hunt would just make up their minds im getting sick. hahah. WHy keep this guy i just cant believe that we are keeping a staff that has been horrible and other coaches are out their with way better records and they are warming up their couches to watch the super bowl . I hope they are working on a master plan this is just killing me yet still exciting.

by sexassassin on Jan 20, 2009 4:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

So

we let our DB coach go who was the only coach whose players performed, yet we retain the LB coach whos players vastly underperformed? Sounds great!

by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 20, 2009 5:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

good point

by sexassassin on Jan 20, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's The Other Thing

Unless the Chiefs are sure they want to keep Gunther, why scuttle his chance at a job? If they end up cutting him loose later, that’s just cruel and classless…especially since the Chiefs apparently wouldn’t think that much of his skills as DC in that situation and when the Chiefs aren’t even playing the Lions this season.

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 5:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cruel & Classless

I’ve learned is not Clark’s M.O.

Only conclusion I can come up with is Gunther is still our DC or new HC ; ^ )

by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 20, 2009 5:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He Can't Be The New Head Coach

Not unless a minority candidate interviews for the job.

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Does it have to be public knowledge

that they’ve interviewed a minority candidate, or could have proceedings happend behind closed door? I guess my real question is does the team have to file with the league before they inteview any potentail candidates? I’m not believing for a second Gunther would ever be the next HC but there is definitely something weird about this move. I now have enough confidence in Clark & Scott that whatever moves they make they have good reasons where I never cut this same slack to Clark & Carl. If all else I’d be interested just to see what difference a new GM makes next season with the same coaching staff (Herm, Gun, & Chan). I’m just happy Carl is gone, add the fact Priefer moved on, and if they could just can Krummie then they’ve done enough in one offseason for me.

Clark seems to know the game of football well and maybe he sees some merit behind keeping some consistency in the coaching of his young players as they develop….

I’m really beginning to think the way business is done on Arrowhead Drive is going be uncompletely like before, and I wouldn’t put it passed them if this move was a PR stunt (or Herm not scouting at the Senior Bowl). Something to generate attention and to keep us in the news after the Pioli signing. We’ve always been overlooked as a flyover market and suddenly we’re important again. I’m sure I’m way off base but something to not overlook

by KansasCityShuffle on Jan 20, 2009 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This is gettting ridiculous

Anyone else seem to think that Herm and Gunther may be spending another year in kansas city? I do

If not, then they are being really cruel

by CALIFAN1986 on Jan 20, 2009 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll Agree There

In that scenario, that would be the second time Gunther got screwed over by the Chiefs.

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 5:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It seems like they are staying

Why wouldent you just cut ties when pioli got hired unless they are negotiating with other coaches and seeing what the best deal is or waiting for the super bowl to get over with and gun for a coach . I dont see why we are just tieing down a coach who everyone in the league is respected but just makes poor decisions. i could understand if like every team was after herm but at this point im not even sure high school teams would trust herm to help lead them.

by sexassassin on Jan 20, 2009 5:15 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe they think he can be stay the DC

if we bring in a better LB coach. Please have mercy and bring in another LB coach. And while we’re at it, we need a new DL coach too. Oh yeah, and a secondary coach since ours left. Our historically bad defensive staff has actually managed to regress somehow.

by Chiefs4Life on Jan 20, 2009 5:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

WTF!!!

Why are they dragging this firing out and keep guys from getting jobs?
Herm and alot of guys on his staff could get jobs with other teams if they were already fired and now you are denying interview request? I say BS!! This is Pioli’s first strike in my book.
Say what u will about the coach’s here they still have families, children that have to switch schools and homes to move this is putting them all in a bad situation. If I were on the staff I would give Pioli my resignation letter and go seek other employment.

South Side D

by doriang03 on Jan 20, 2009 9:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Curious

isn’t it?

by Buck'O on Jan 20, 2009 9:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Except

If you give Pioli your resignation he can still block you from interviewing with other teams because technically the team owns your rights for the duration of the contract and the only way you’re released from that is if you get fired.

That’s why we had to pay compensation for Vermeil when he retired.

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 10:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Correction

That’s why we had to pay compensation to St. Louis to get Vermeil after he’d retired.

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

by UCrawford on Jan 20, 2009 10:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know i'm opening myself up here, but

I dont think Gun is the problem at all. In fact I think Gun is the only one that should keep his job. Correct me if i’m wrong, but as I remember it, that monster famed defense of the 90’s was the 3-4 run by cunningham. The defense that yeilded the chiefs the NFL record for fewest sacks in a season last year was the tampa 2, which is HERMS defense. Gunther may be calling the plays, but the chiefs follow Herms scheme.

by smokin Jake on Jan 20, 2009 10:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs