Getting to Know a GM: Carl Peterson
by Joel Thorman on Jan 7, 2009 9:30 AM CST
in Kansas City Chiefs GM Search
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Arrowhead Pride Newsletter
December 21st, 1988
Nearly twenty years ago, Carl Peterson began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Cal-State at Sonoma in 1969 until he took the head coach job the following year. He held that post for three seasons before catching onto the UCLA Bruins staff.
The next two seasons Peterson spent coaching the receivers. With UCLA's coach Pepper Rodgers out, Dick Vermeil was named head coach
Both Vermeil and Peterson bolted for the Eagles after just two years at UCLA as the receivers/head coach combo
Tabbed as the Director of Player Personnel in Philadelphia in 1976, Peterson's Eagles teams reached the playoffs for the first time in 18 years after he had been with the club for just two years. By his 4th season, the Eagles were in the Super Bowl.
Two years later, Peterson accepted a gig as the GM/President of the Philadelphia Stars of the upstart USFL. How did he do once he was the man in charge? Only established his Stars' as top dogs going 7-1 in post-season play while capturing two league titles.
Peterson's no dummy, either. He's highly educated having earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from UCLA in ‘66, a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology in ‘67 and earned a Doctorate in Administration in Higher Education at UCLA in ‘70.
Surrounding himself with Super Bowl caliber coaches and demonstrating an ability to construct championship squads are two of the top reasons the Chiefs should hire Peterson.
Does he fit Lamar Hunt's expectations for a GM?
- "Shrewd Evaluator Of Talent" - Yes. With the Eagles and the Stars of the USFL, he was able to construct championship caliber teams.
- Experience With Winning Teams - Yes. He reached the Super Bowl in Philadelphia and won two league titles with the Stars of the USFL.
- Strong Leader - Yes. He retained the titles of President and GM with the Stars and directed player personnel in Philadelphia and was able to successfully lead his teams to success.
- Effective Communicator - He's been a scout, coach and director of personnel so he more than likely has the ability to communicate what he thinks needs to be done.
- Blends Into The Chiefs Culture - Yes. He's a smart man, both on and off the field, which seemingly lands him at the top of Hunt's list.
- Someone Outside The Organization - Yes.
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Did Earl post this?
Has to be something with Karma…
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
When did Al Gore invent the internet?
Proud to be a part of the Conference of Champions and their complete bowl season domination.
This is from our Newsletter
Even Dr. Z used to read it.
by Joel Thorman on Jan 7, 2009 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
I'd vote
If there was a “Yes, but only for 9 years, max” option
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football"
- John Heisman
I'm not old enough to appreciate how ridiculously awful the Chiefs were before Peterson
He definitely outlived his stay here, but no doubt he was at least partially responsible for turning this franchise around. I wish him the best of luck.
Other than pre '74
be glad you’re a young man. :)
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
I was reading some old Sporting News articles from 1988
They hired Peterson immediately after Steadman stepped down. There really was no search, Peterson was the man.
Also, it seems like everyone was certain Dick Vermeil would be the coach. Other coaching candidates interviewed:
Bears DC Vince Tobin
Atlanta WR coach Jimmy Raye
Atlanta asst coach Fred Bruney
Rams QB coach Dick Coury
49ers DC George Seifert
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Other GM candidates speculated
Other than Peterson included Mike McCormack of the Seahawks and Bill Tobin of the Bears
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
I think it is fair to say
that I am glad to see Peterson gone but that was not always my view. For sure, those of us that have been around a while also hated Steadman at some point. He stayed around far too long and the Chiefs languished in mediocrity or worse for many years. Peterson came in a did a great job. He should be fully credited with turning this thing around for the better. We loved him his first 5 years. Most of us probably still liked him the next 5 even though his “5 year plan” had become the next “5 year plan.”
Then when Marty’s term ended in somewhat disaster Peterson really started making mistakes. Gansz? There’s something to be said about promoting from within if you are a successful organization but I don’t think a special teams coach really should be viewed as obviously head coach. I was surprised at the time that Cunningham didn’t work out. Vermeil and Herm? I don’t think coaches should be hired just because they’re your buddy. Vermeil did some good stuff but ignored too much other stuff.
Peterson also was or became horrible at drafting talent and even more so at negotiating with them. Why must we alienate all our draft picks before they even get here? It’s one thing to negotiate in good faith but to be overly cheap ass and a jerk is quite another.
Finally, he simply overstayed his welcome. That is really Lamar’s fault, both with Steadman and Peterson. While patience is a virtue, there should be limits to it. Performance should count. I think that head coaches and GMs have expiration dates where they simply run out of energy or the advancement of football finally passes them by. They are at some point unable to let go their outdated ideas and move with the game. We should put 10 year limits on these positions almost as a matter of policy.
Peterson definitely turned us into a class organization for the first 10 or so but…now, good bye, thanks, but good riddance. It’s time to move on top to bottom.
I AM intangible!
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