Chiefs Coach Haley Told Players He Would Change Gameday Attitude
by Joel Thorman on Nov 23, 2009 9:08 AM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign
70 comments
This morning, oft critic of the Kansas City Chiefs new regime, Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star, applauded head coach Todd Haley's efforts to take a different approach on gameday.
"Rather than castigate his players, F-bomb his assistants and bicker with the refs," Whitlock writes, "Haley spent his most productive Sunday as an NFL head coach fueling his players with positive energy. They responded with their most promising performance in two years."
Haley had become known for being, ahem, animated on the sidelines with his players and coaching staff.
Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles told reporters after the Chiefs 27-24 OT victory over the Steelers that Haley said he was going to change his approach.
Prior to the Jacksonville Jaguars game, two weeks ago, Haley told the players "he was going to take a whole different attitude and not push and tell us to enjoy the game, have fun and even relaxing since then."
Charles says since then the players have come together as a team.
"Everybody’s come together as a team," Charles said. "We want to win, we don’t want to lose, we’ve just made some mistakes. Now we’re just working hard in practice and hopefully can just win and that’s what we’re looking forward to, and just making the fans happy, making a comeback in Kansas City again and trying to enjoy ourselves."
And the results are there. Following that three point loss to the Jaguars, the Chiefs are 2-0 and +9 in scoring.
So far Haley's toned down approach seems to be working. I know that's been a point with some of his critics. I'd say that whatever Haley's been doing, he should keep it up. If the players are responding well without the extra words on the sidelines then keep the momentum going.
What do you think? Do you agree with Haley's new approach?
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He does own a razor
It was nice to see him a little more clean cut
(Raiders game 1 should be listed here, 409 yds off, we let them off the hook)
(Cowboy's should be listed here - They are who we thought they were)
Skins
Raidaaas (game 2)
***Super Bowl Champion Steelers!***
Next victim: Bolts - Thanks for Chambers by the way, Cassel to Chambers = Touchdown KANSAS CITY!
Grow it, or shave it, not in between.
A few days growth just makes a mature man with a good job look like a slob.
I do agree with that
The shadow looks lazy….at least grow a little goatee and the shadow dont look so bad.
Predictions for 2009:
The Chiefs will regret cutting LJ
Bowe's numbers regress due to lack of decent QB play.
The D gets better in the second half but still is plagued by big plays
Cassel looks more like the guy Pioli almost cut in the '08 preseason instead of the franchise QB he hoped he would be when he traded him for
Chiefs 3-13
by bonesjackson on Nov 23, 2009 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
His dad was in attendance.
November 22nd 2009: Chiefs win in OT vs the Steelers 27-24. This could be the turning point for the Chiefs to get back to being respected.
by Red N Gold Beast on Nov 23, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions
Yep
That is the speculation as to why Haley cleaned up his act – both physically and his coaching style. I hope the Haley family comes to every game from here on out.
I'm not buying that.
Haley’s dad is following his son’s career. He knows how he’s been coaching the team. Just because he’s physically there doesn’t mean this is the first time he’s watched Haley perform. What we saw yesterday was most likely the result of the team starting to get it. The team showed yesterday that they are starting to take the identity of our coach…. hard nosed and tough. Fiery and passionate.
Granted his sideline rants died down, but that was likely a product of the good start to the game.
November 22nd 2009: Chiefs win in OT vs the Steelers 27-24. This could be the turning point for the Chiefs to get back to being respected.
by Red N Gold Beast on Nov 23, 2009 10:06 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
whatever he is doing different
he needs to keep it up! The chiefs are still far from a competitive team, but they looked pretty good yesterday for the most part! Anytime you can beat the defending world champions, you are doing something well!
if you start out being "stern"... you can always soften up...
BUT, you can’t go the other way… He couldn’t come in a “teddy bear” and talking about puppies and rainbows… then, expect to be able to command respect and be harsh when he needed to later on.
Not sure if this was planned or not… but I think it’s pretty logical for a new coach, trying to change EVERYTHING about an organization, to come in like a lion, before becoming more of a lamb
* "I doubt anyone will miss Connor Barth except UCrawford"
* the LB corps may become the biggest strength of the Chiefs in 2009
* The OL is NOT as bad as you think it is... give it time, and you'll see improvement this season
* Stats are for losers
by stagdsp on Nov 23, 2009 9:14 AM CST reply actions 11 recs
I was thinking the same thing...
Haley and Pioli finally have this seasons roster where they want it, and with no opportunity to trade left, why not settle down and change the attitude. A Very Smart move!
The roster is never how they want it...
There will always be constant changes and room for improvement. That is the Patriot Way.
:-)
I think Skrappy was saying
this years roster is about as good as they can get it for now. We all know we need some upgrades but time has passed on the ability to get any more players from other teams other than PS players.
Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!
I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.
Rec'd
Good outlook.
November 22nd 2009: Chiefs win in OT vs the Steelers 27-24. This could be the turning point for the Chiefs to get back to being respected.
by Red N Gold Beast on Nov 23, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions
Like this college professor, taking his foot off his students' necks rolling into Finals Week.
(instead of trying to cram 3 months of material into 2 weeks, because I went easy on ’em and tried to be their friend from Sept to Nov)
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
That's a great point
but it’s “duckies and bunnies” :)
Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!
Wow, good point...
That’s what I like about AP-the fans know what’s going on!
Rec’d
No one ever says, "It's only a game" when their team is winning.
George Carlin-R.I.P.
by idahochieffan on Nov 23, 2009 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
Managment 101
Anyone who has ever taken over a new job as the boss knows this; you can always lighten it up but if you start soft you can’t easily get tougher.
"let's take it one play at a time"
worked for tom coughlin
and his team rallied to win the Super Bowl… Maybe there is a method to Todd Haley’s madness after all! Great point.
Coughlin would have lost the team, and his job, if he hadn't lightened up when he did
… he was >.< that close to “walking the plank” and he knew it
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
Absolutely.
Several of us AP’ers had mentioned that in the past in the early days of “Haley’s too tough/harsh/ect”, and I’m glad to see it coming to fruition, intentional or not.
As many here at AP have pointed out
It’s better to start out tough and let up as you go on. This is a chicken-egg question. Which came first: Haley loosening up or the players doing it his way? Either way, yesterday was evidence that progress is being made.
Naturally, when they start doing things the right way, it's easy to lighten up.
I’m sure that if they start screwing up, he’ll rightfully and emphatically, let them know about it.
They are playing tough, smart football and will continue to get better and better.
As I have said many times, our team would have
a game which would be an epiphany. That is, we now know we CAN play with the “big boys”. Not only can we play with them, if we do it right, we can win. This was truly a team effort. Whatever Haley’s approach is we are seeing improvement in increments for the last three weeks or so. That is what Haley and the team need to focus on, is doing things is a way which builds on and continues the improvement of the team.
Whitlock’s still an idiot.
“Rather than castigate his players, F-bomb his assistants and bicker with the refs,” Whitlock writes, “Haley spent his most productive Sunday as an NFL head coach fueling his players with positive energy. They responded with their most promising performance in two years.”
That’s basically saying, “See, Todd, I was right!” Haley said in the postgame that even with all the critics he had to continue doing what he knew was right.
JComp - that's a very narrow-minded attitude, IMNSHO
I love Whitlock, he’s entertaining and speaks the truth, and he stands up for what he believes in, a very good thing … he’s spoken out against Michael Vick, Gangsta Rap, Drugs, Corporate Greed, Rascism, Sexism and more … that makes him a pretty good guy in my book
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
How is that narrow minded? I see him exactly for what he is-a writer who does his job by stirring up controversy. He has nothing to bitch about after that game so he takes some of the credit by saying “He did exactly as I’ve been telling him to do.” He may be a good guy, but I still detest his writing style.
Oh, and sexism? Read this.
If someone asks you if you want extra mayonnaise you have to say yes, cus that's part of it.
-Jerad Allen
Definitely noticed a change
We have defintely been a better team since the bye then before.
Check out my blog on software development:
http://www.turnleafdesign.com/
by Scaryclouds on Nov 23, 2009 9:18 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Getting more speed out on the field and enjoying some success brings out the teddy bear.
And while he’s disappointed when something doesn’t work out, I’ve never seen him bitch at a player for not being fast enough. But mental breakdowns are tantamount to a death sentence, or at least dagger looks and an ass-reamin’.
No question. Otis Taylor should be in the Hall of Fame.
Poor Whitlock
That article must have been very difficult to write. I think he was bewitched by Haley’s “glance.”
Sit Dowwwnnnnn!
What I like about all this is that Haley is able to change and adapt. The best leaders are not the ones that say, ‘stay the course’ but will say I’m wrong and we need to do this…
Part of the growing pains of being a young head coach and I completely agree that he need to come in her and establish accountability on each player for his position. Now he can relax up a bit and he will gain their respect. Winning helps too!
Hey guys, Matt Cassel isn't the problem, being one dimensional is!
by IowaChiefFan on Nov 23, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
What is this "glance" you are referring to?
Toby is in HR, which technically means he works for corporate, so he's really not a part of our family. Also, he's divorced, so he's really not a part of his family.
by Rev. Slappy on Nov 23, 2009 10:44 AM CST up reply actions
From Joel's post yesterday
“Before Haley began to speak, he breathed a heavy sigh of relief into the microphone, took a quick glance in the direction of Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star, and talked about his team’s third victory of the season.”
And also...
From the mothership’s transcription of the postgame press conference:
Q: Your emotion on the sideline seemed very positive. It seemed like the team fed off of that.
A: I’ll take that as a compliment. I am a rookie head coach and am passionate about what I do. I live and die every day on how it goes with this team – not just game day but Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…. It’s all I care about other than God and my family. When you care about someone there is going to be some emotion. It’s easy to be positive when good things are happening. I’m going to be me every day.
The mothership didn’t transcribe it fully. What Haley actually said was, “I’ll take that as a compliment, Jason.” Whitlock interjected, “It is a compliment” before Haley continued.
Based on that exchange, I was not at all surprised that Whitlock’s post-game column painted Haley in positive terms. I found it amusing that last night, so many posters couldn’t wait to see how Whitlock would find a way to trash Haley. It was pretty obvious to me that at least in this case, it wasn’t going to happen.
Next week, of course, could be a completely different story. :-)
John
"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here. This is the War Room!"
That’s the comment I’ve been mentioning. Thought that was Whitlock’s voice. Thanks for posting the whole thing.
RDO, thanks for the clarification on that - very very cool! and JComp ...
… you STILL think Whitlock is an idiot? hate to tell you this, but that was one damned classy move by Whitlock …
and wouldn’t you be shocked if the team continues to respond to a “kinder, gentler Todd Haley” and it’s ALL BECAUSE OF WHITLOCK … ohhhhhh, I’d just so love it!
Go Jason!
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
I don't want Haley to let up on this team's march out of the hole
That being said…I think the aggressive, domineering, no excesses approach is better suited for the practice field and film room. Not that a guy might need an ass chewing on game day from time to time.
One thing I will say about Haley is I have never really seen him belittle his players by saying things like they suck, or they are pathetic, etc. It is usually the aggressive confrontation with expletives.
He needs to find that happy middle…if he does he will be a great coach (and I think great) because not many can find that perfect spot of demanding and forcing perfection yet appealing to a players loyalty.
Bewsaf
I Think Sunday Was Him Finding A Happy Middle
And I think that the results the last two weeks with the toned down approach have demonstrated the benefits of lightening up just a bit. Not becoming a cream puff like Wade Phillips, but more of a “stern but measured” type of coach. And I think that’s what the Chiefs need. They don’t need a screamer like Gunther and they don’t need a milquetoast like Herm…they just need a coach who knows how to dole out both praise when necessary and punishment when necessary and always keep focused on the end result…winning games.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
Jason Whitlock was right before a lot of people on here who bashed him were
Whitlock compared Haley to Vermeil in St.Louis and Coughlin in NY as a good coach who needed to change his approach. Vermeil and Coughlin did and they won super bowls. Good to see that Whitlock is actually getting credit for his good writing for once. People here seem to get ticked off no matter what he says. Apparently its cool to hate Whitlock in KC. Hopefully that ends
I don't want no Yo-Yos
by CaptainPoopDeck on Nov 23, 2009 9:51 AM CST reply actions
Sorry Jason...
We just don’t like your negativity.
Do you consider this negativity:
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chiefs/story/1529650.html#
Sounds like dead on constructive criticism to me. Hopefully people will take note of what Whitlock says in the future even if they don’t like it. Its good to be open minded
I don't want no Yo-Yos
by CaptainPoopDeck on Nov 23, 2009 10:13 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
jason whitlock is the lightning rod of negativity
One post after an upset win doesnt change that, a loss to SD next week and we will see the old Whitlock we all know and…..um…love?
Prediction: 2009 AFC West gets Emmy for best drama.
by CT Chief Fan on Nov 23, 2009 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
Whitlock is an aggitator.
Always has been. That’s his niche. He doesn’t write articles to get you on his side. He exaggerates situations to get people to think.
Agree or disagree with him (and I disagree with him A LOT), he does what is asked of him whether people realize it or not.
My long, drawn-out predictions that no one cares about, nor will bother to remember:
1. Todd Haley will still be the Chiefs Head Coach up to the 2011 season.
2. Clancy Pendergast won't make it to the 2010 season and was never intended to. Last-minute hire for a position that needed to be filled.
3. Todd Haley will not be the OC at the start of the 2010 season.
by jbj8609 on Nov 23, 2009 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I
completely agree with your tag that Clancy wont be here for the 2010 season. His Zone D is way to easy to pick apart. And was for sure a last min hire.
Would ya like a free NANAA!
by Jazzy Megalodon on Nov 23, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions
Agreed
I think Whitlock was making some points that as of now appear to be valid.
by Joel Thorman on Nov 23, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
I've Always Liked Whitlock
And I think that a lot of people will hate him no matter what position he takes simply because he’s blunt with his opinions and doesn’t really sugarcoat what he thinks. But I think he’s been right about Haley through most of the season.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
I agree.
Enjoy reading him although many times it is just to see what he is trying to stir up. I think many misread him though. I think he is a Chief’s homer through and through, but his niche is to stir up controversy. If he just wrote Adam Teicher or Kent Babb style, why have him on the payroll? His role is is the agitator. For all the bashing on AP and other places, most everyone has read his column, and that is the goal. Period.
I remember Dawson to Taylor, Kenney to Carson, and Blackledge catching the snap in his facemask. Seen it all...
but thats not really it
He does make some valid points, but i think sometimes his valid points take a back seat to his ego and agenda.
I realize the guy is controversial on purpose, not unlike Jim Rome, but I think for the home town team he needs to just give us the facts, give his opinions, and just leave eveything else out.
Prediction: 2009 AFC West gets Emmy for best drama.
by CT Chief Fan on Nov 25, 2009 12:19 PM CST up reply actions
NSFW Comment
Why is 2.7 included in our game day photos when he doeskin play for the Chiefs anymore? In my opinion that is a F#$%ing insult to Chiefs fans!
Winning begins with Attitude - Haley and Pioli will be winners in KC!
I'll forever be a Chiefs fan! Only God himself could take that away from me, but when I get to my great reward, I'll rejoin two bigger fans, my Mom and Dad.
Lanier, take comfort in the knowledge that TAFKALJ had 2 runs yesterday, for a whopping 5 yards
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
Keep it up
Before the season started, I only thought we’d have 2 wins at this point, and we’re ahead of schedule with three. The easy part of our schedule is coming up with Buffalo, Cleveland, and the reeling Broncos twice. We should win at least two, and have a good shot at three of those games.
I know a loss is a loss, but we should have won the first raiders game and the cowboys game, which would have put this team at 5-5. Crazy to think about..
....
This is exactly the same thing Tom Coughlin. Did with NY. Instill discipline. An a work ethic. then become a little more laid back. I think the players have bought in.
Would ya like a free NANAA!
by Jazzy Megalodon on Nov 23, 2009 10:30 AM CST reply actions
Coughlin was on the verge of being fired if he hadn't "grown up and calmed down"
he was seriously losing his team … in the locker room, on the field and in the media … half that team would have been gone the next year if he hadn’t changed … Coughlin DID change, but it was NOT a planned thing ny any means (and I doubt Haley’s recent change to being more laid back is planned, either)
Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisiton!
I ripped him (deservedly) hard but I noticed one thing
…back when there was the Waters tiff the word that came out was “arrogance” and a couple of weeks ago Haley spoke about not being an arrogant guy and he said when he is wrong he admits it and apologizes. I think he smoothed things over and he is trying to he more ‘leader-like’.
Wow Whitlock
Surprised by his positivity. It’s a beautiful day. Beena long time since we had a “big” win. I can’t help but think of the 3 point Jax loss, the last minute loss to Oakland and the overtime loss to Cowgirls. Are you telling me this team could be 5-5? 6-4? This win may get some players on board. And we won without Lj, Bowe and Vrabel. That’s the defintion of team! With 6 games remaining, 3 more wins is doable! 6-10 is huge improvement over last year! Great watching this team grow!
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
Legitimate Wins Will Do That
And yesterday’s win was as legitimate as it’s been for the Chiefs in a very long time. Hopefully this is a sign of a lot more victories to come.
Moderator - Arrowhead Pride
That Raiders win was weird too
I only wanted raiders to win because of LJ. And Tony G is on a 5-5 squad that may not make playoffs. Grass isnt always greener…
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
Of course Whitlock is taking credit for Haley's "changed attitude"
Whitlock is a piece of work.
"Gonna gallop all over the Chiefs. Cleat prints on the chests. Mud in the face masks." - 2.7* *Yes I know it was changed to 2.9 but f*ck the statisticians.
by Kristospherein on Nov 23, 2009 11:56 AM CST reply actions
I love you guys
This is a great week. I feel proud. Head is high. Nothing can go wrong. (knock on wood)
Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan
Dang Will Franklin left the team too early...
He wanted a softer approach…I hope he gets a hug somewhere wherever he is…sad…
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