Chiefs to Hire Gary Gibbs as Defensive Coordinator or LBs Coach
by Joel Thorman on Feb 13, 2009 2:43 PM CST
in 2009 Offseason
57 comments
UPDATE: Per Adam Schefter of the NFL Network, a deal between the Chiefs and Gibbs is all but done.
But the Chiefs will soon announce that they’ve hired former Saints defensive coordinator and Oklahoma coach Gary Gibbs to fill either the team’s vacant defensive coordinator or linebackers coach job.
(H/T dkugler838 and JayKC)
***
The rumor circulating through the league is that the Kansas City Chiefs are looking at Gary Gibbs as a possible defensive coordinator and/or linebackers coach replacement for Gunther Cunningham.
Most recently Gibbs spent four years with the New Orleans Saints as defensive coordinator. He spent the first 20 years of his coaching career at the University of Oklahoma in positions ranging from linebackers coach to head coach following the departure of Barry Switzer in 1989.
| Year | Team | Position |
| 1975-77 | Oklahoma (NCAA) | Graduate Assistant |
| 1978-80 | Oklahoma (NCAA) | Linebacker Coach |
| 1981-88 | Oklahoma (NCAA) | Defensive Coordinator/Linebacker Coach |
| 1989-94 | Oklahoma (NCAA) | Head Coach (44-23-2) |
| 2000 | Georgia (NCAA) | Defensive Coordinator |
| 2001 | LSU (NCAA) | Defensive Coordinator |
| 2002-05 | Dallas Cowboys | Linebacker Coach |
| 2006-2009 | New Orleans Saints | Defensive Coordinator |
Gibbs didn't have much success as the Saints defensive coordinator and according to FireGaryGibbs.com, the fans were glad to see him fired on January 7th earlier this year.
Gibbs arrived in New Orleans and was met with immediate success leading the Saints to the 13th ranked defense, up from the 28th ranked unit the year before.
His first year success prompted several teams, including the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers, to interview him for their vacant head coaching positions.
However, two short years and the 25th and 26th ranked defenses later, Gibbs is on the job market.
One note from the Times-Picayune might be a bit disturbing to Chiefs fans who have been clamoring for someone, anyone to effectively coach the defensive line. Upon his departure Mike Triplett and Teddy Kider wrote this on Gibbs:
Gibbs' defense allowed 339.5 yards per game in 2008, struggling to cope with injuries and constantly giving up big plays in the secondary. The Saints also never seemed to find the production they were looking for from their defensive line, which has two highly paid defensive ends in Will Smith and Charles Grant but struggled in pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
Yikes!
What's the connection to Todd Haley?
Since the NFL is largely a 'who do you know' not 'what do you know' league, what's the connection to new Chiefs head coach Todd Haley?
Todd Haley was the Cowboys wide receivers coach in 2005 when Gibbs was the linebackers coach the same year. Both men, of course, worked under Bill Parcells.
So, to get this straight.
- Bill Parcells was the head coach when Todd Haley and Gary Gibbs worked for the Cowboys
- Bill Parcells is the father-in-law of Scott Pioli
- Scott Pioli hired Todd Haley
- Gary Gibbs most recently worked for head coach Sean Payton in New Orleans who, naturally, came over from the Cowboys under Bill Parcells.
There's your connection. Though Gibbs' defenses the last two years have ranked in the bottom third of the NFL, it's somewhat reassuring that his first NFL gig was under the tutelage of Parcells.
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He's been a DC/LB coach before
So I wonder if this rumor comes to fruition if he’ll do the same.
by Joel Thorman on Feb 13, 2009 2:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He's not that great we can do better
if we bring him in we are just doing the same thing over on the D side. I hope he doesnt come here as a DC but as a LB coach
by fujirio on Feb 13, 2009 2:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Schefter's got it to
http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/13/chiefs-hire-former-oklahoma-coach-gibbs/
bq.Kansas City has kept its head coaching search, and subsequent assistant head coaching search, very quiet. But the Chiefs will soon announce that they’ve hired former Saints defensive coordinator and Oklahoma coach Gary Gibbs to fill either the team’s vacant defensive coordinator or linebackers coach job.
by dkugler838 on Feb 13, 2009 2:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yep, just posted a FanShot of that.
by Jason Shore on Feb 13, 2009 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You guys are beating me bad today
Thanks…got you both in the hat tip.
by Joel Thorman on Feb 13, 2009 3:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
if its as DC
then that will be my first WTF of the offseason.
by Lvl.99 on Feb 13, 2009 2:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Ah... the old school
eye gouge technique!
by Ilamuku on Feb 13, 2009 2:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You Know
If you’re going to do these polls, there should be an “I’m ambivalent” option available.
Gibbs wasn’t so great in New Orleans, but he’s had success elsewhere so this hiring elicits a big “meh” from me.
I have absolutely no idea who the Chiefs will draft or sign in free agency and anyone who thinks that they know is talking out of their fourth point of contact.
All I know is that the Chiefs are going to field a better team in 2009. Prediction of team record will be submitted after the 2009 draft.
by UCrawford on Feb 13, 2009 3:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good Point
That makes sense. I’ll keep that in mind. Although, when I started doing this post Schefter didn’t have anything on it so I was treating it as a complete rumor. But Schefter’s pretty reliable so I trust that he’ll be hired at one of the two positions (or both).
by Joel Thorman on Feb 13, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
HAS he really succeeded?
if you can’t do all that well at OU, then where…….?
The only measure of true success in the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Anything less is a rationalization.
by sm7600 on Feb 13, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OU On Probation, Let's Not Forget
Were they dominant? No…but they got slapped pretty hard by the NCAA and Gibbs did a pretty decent job to keep them competitive. Plus, he installed a completely different offensive look on that team as well, breaking from the old wishbone/option stuff that Switzer ran.
Would I want Gibbs as a head coach? No. Would I want him as a defensive coordinator? Not based off of the Saints D the last two years. But as for him being a position coach I’m not really put off by the hire. Do we really think he’s going to end up being a worse linebackers coach than Gunther Cunningham was last year?
I have absolutely no idea who the Chiefs will draft or sign in free agency and anyone who thinks that they know is talking out of their fourth point of contact.
All I know is that the Chiefs are going to field a better team in 2009. Prediction of team record will be submitted after the 2009 draft.
by UCrawford on Feb 13, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
I’m not gonna be upset at any position coach hiring, but I think that Gibbs as a DC would be a mistake…
by KCFanatic on Feb 13, 2009 4:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
But we don’t know for sure that’s what he’ll be doing. Hopefully he’s just a position guy.
I have absolutely no idea who the Chiefs will draft or sign in free agency and anyone who thinks that they know is talking out of their fourth point of contact.
All I know is that the Chiefs are going to field a better team in 2009. Prediction of team record will be submitted after the 2009 draft.
by UCrawford on Feb 13, 2009 6:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ewwwwww
just sayin
The only measure of true success in the NFL is the Vince Lombardi trophy. Anything less is a rationalization.
by sm7600 on Feb 13, 2009 3:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It seems like
If you coach under Parcells for at least one year you’ll have more than a few years in the NFL.
by Joel Thorman on Feb 13, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
No kidding....Parcells is like the golden goose, teams figure that if you have associated with Bill you could possibly crap gold to.
Don’t like the resume……Not a particularly strong upgrade over Goonther. Hopefully he’s only going to coach the LB’s, and not run the whole defense.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Feb 13, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
This would be a travesty if he is DC. Those New Orleans defenses were atrocious. We could have just re-hired Greg Robinson if we wanted a terrible D-coordinator.
by tbwhall on Feb 13, 2009 3:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
What kind of relationship does he have with Jonathan Vilma?
This might not be a bad thing at all.
by DonnyDonovan on Feb 13, 2009 3:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OOH DUDE
nice one… I like your thinking add Vilma to my list of linebackers on my comment below
by 808NaNz808 on Feb 13, 2009 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts exactly
Vilma has been on my wish list this whole offseason. If Gibbs does get hired as the DC and he can bring in Vilma then it opens up the possiblility to draft OL or DL.
by Scottwied5 on Feb 14, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I really don't see him at DC
I think Pioli and Haley will be smarter than that. We’ll probably wait for a skilled positions coach to fill in our DC job (preferably a good D line coach). But as far as this guy goes he’d have a great second chance at the NFL starting out as a linebackers coach with Aaron Curry and Derrick Johnson under his helm
by 808NaNz808 on Feb 13, 2009 3:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Here's some discussion about Gibbs today on Canal Street Chronicles
I think it may be good for the Chiefs now after all.
http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2009/2/13/758658/much-too-close-to-home
So many provocations, so little time.
by stujo4 on Feb 13, 2009 4:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
WHY
Why would you hire a LB’s coach before your DC? Kind of a HUNH!
by dklogue1 on Feb 13, 2009 4:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I do not like this at all, if he is DC. In fact, I am pretty fucking pissed.
When is the last time Gibbs had success in the NFL? One year in N.O. with a mid-ranked defense that promptly went into the tank the next 2 years. Is this Gunther?
Gibbs can’t coordinate a D to keep up with a high profile offense. What is Haley supposed to give us again? Is this Greg Robinson?
We have a horrid defense and we hire a DC from a horrid defense who’s “success” one, single, mid-ranked NFL defense. WTF??!!
This is only my reaction if he is the DC. If he is LB coach, i’m pretty meh then.
If he is going to be DC and LB coach, I will freak the fuck out.
"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.
by DThomasReigns on Feb 13, 2009 4:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I apologize for the double F bombs, but this enrages me.
"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.
by DThomasReigns on Feb 13, 2009 4:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you. Where is UC with our ARGF?
"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.
by DThomasReigns on Feb 13, 2009 11:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry About That
UC got tabbed to work in a different office for a couple of days, got backloaded at work, and didn’t have time to crank one out. That’s why you didn’t see me chime in very much.
What can I say? I’m a retart. :)
I have absolutely no idea who the Chiefs will draft or sign in free agency and anyone who thinks that they know is talking out of their fourth point of contact.
All I know is that the Chiefs are going to field a better team in 2009. Prediction of team record will be submitted after the 2009 draft.
by UCrawford on Feb 14, 2009 7:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you mean you'd let work interfere with your job here? :)
We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.
Ok already, if you don't agree with what I am saying, just don't email my mom again. She beat the crap out of me with my keyboard!
"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
by Lanier63 on Feb 14, 2009 8:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Pretty Much
With tax season rapidly approaching my job tends to ramp up really fast right about now.
I have absolutely no idea who the Chiefs will draft or sign in free agency and anyone who thinks that they know is talking out of their fourth point of contact.
All I know is that the Chiefs are going to field a better team in 2009. Prediction of team record will be submitted after the 2009 draft.
by UCrawford on Feb 14, 2009 8:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i swear out of all the fuckin people out there we get this clown!!
by kcchiefsfan56 on Feb 13, 2009 4:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Easy Squeasy lemon Peasy.
I have to say, “Romeo, Romeo where for art though Romeo?”
by dklogue1 on Feb 13, 2009 4:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
what the freak
saints d sucked last year and the year before that has to say something!
by whodachefs? on Feb 13, 2009 4:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hopefullyhe is going to be the LB coach
We don’t need an ass hat as a DC. Maybe Vilma will follow.
AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.
by cmpotter on Feb 13, 2009 5:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hunt Didn't Need Pioli
Thats all he needed was Bill Parcells phone number! I’m getting tired of the “father in law” connection.
blu
by blu43 on Feb 13, 2009 6:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if this is a sign that
Pioli is indeed letting Haley pick his staff. This was my worst fear with hiring a rookie head coach that had no clue about defense. That he would just hire some buddy from a previous job and hope for the best. Sounds like Vermeil / Robinson all over if this is true.
I was hoping that Pioli would hire the defense seperate from Haley.
by ChiefDJ on Feb 13, 2009 6:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Thats the way the NFL is
You hire who you know, not necessarily who has the qualifications.
by Joel Thorman on Feb 13, 2009 10:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I have to believe......
that he is a position coach…..I have to…..there is no other way for my to think on this one or I might have an aneurysm…..
by ill_spec on Feb 13, 2009 6:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Good coaches have struggled in the wrong situation and vice versa...
Hell, Greg Robinson had at least one top-10 defense in Denver. I’m not saying it’s not fair to ask questions (isn’t that the point of the internet?), but, it may be possible that GG is a good coach who had the wrong mix of personnel, etc. I trust that the guys doing the hiring know more than we do and I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt until shown otherwise. The name calling, potential aneuysms, threatened meltdowns might just be a WEE bit over the top, no?
by DonnyDonovan on Feb 13, 2009 6:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
+1
agreed. take a look at gunther, he had a pretty nice D in his earilier years with Kansas city, but his latter years were horrible, it could be the same for GG, we dont know, maybe Pioli’s set of fresh eyes kno more than we do.
by Red and Gold on Feb 13, 2009 11:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
A diversion
All I know is through the Pioli hiring and the Haley hiring we and the media really new… Nothing. There were rumors of Pioli, and rumors of Haley amongst a list of qualified people that we all enjoyed putting together. I mean I haven’t heard any real estate rumors nor any guppy’isms. So Lets not blow our collective stack yet. Gibbs name hasn’t been on any of our rumor mills for good reason. Hell he hasn’t been a name the media has come even close to floating. And all of a sudden Schefter drops it and a shitstorm starts blowing. I’m not gonna execute the man yet, nor am I going to go crazy… yet. So far Pioli and Clark have been dead on. And no news has leaked outta the organization HQ so why all of a sudden would this random tidbit do so? Could it be a diversion, a ferret out the leaks sort of thing? We’ll see. But I hope Gibbs doesn’t become anything here. Romeo, Frazier, there are great DC’s out there. Gibbs is not one of them. We need a new direction not a rehash. Then again, if he does get the job, then they (Clark, Pioli, Halley) saw something in him. Just not sure what.
by Eastcoastransplant on Feb 13, 2009 6:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Frazier is still the DC in Minnesota and under contract.
by DonnyDonovan on Feb 13, 2009 6:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yeah but
I was kinda hoping we would offer him an asst coach/dc job…
by Eastcoastransplant on Feb 13, 2009 7:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And
Literally all Schefter says on NFL.com is the above post. Three lines. Hardly heralding much of anything. Almost seems like he doesn’t have much confidence in it. Otherwise why not say more?
by Eastcoastransplant on Feb 13, 2009 7:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My sources say
that he’s not being hired. The leak may have put a kabosh on the whole gig. This is of course is what I’m wishing, but in the event of such a improbabilty my lead source was Lanier ; ^ )
by KansasCityShuffle on Feb 13, 2009 8:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
man. the more I think about this guy as DC
the more it makes me sick to my stomach. I think this would be a huge mistake.
Vae Victis!
by Buck'O on Feb 14, 2009 10:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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