Filling Out the Chiefs Coaching Staff with New Head Coach Todd Haley

by Chris Thorman on Feb 7, 2009 12:04 PM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Offseason

Here is the transcript to yesterday's press conference with Clark Hunt, Todd Haley and Scott Pioli. Look for a more thorough post on defensive coordinators tomorrow morning.

Defense		Offense		Other
Defensive Coordinator	???	Quarterbacks	???	Special Teams	???
Defensive Backs	???	Offensive Line	Bob Bicknell (2)	Special Teams Assistant	???
Linebackers	???	Assistant Offensive Line	Joe D'Alessandris (1)	Assistant Strength and Conditioning	Brent Salazar (2)
Defensive Assistant	Michael Ketchum (3)	Tight Ends	Jon Embree (3)	Strength and Conditioning	Cedric Smith (2)
Defensive Line	Tim Krumrie (3)	Running Backs	Curtis Modkins (1)	Manager of Football Operations/Player Development	Nate Wainwright (3)
		Offensive Assistant/Quality Control	Kevin Patullo (2)
		Wide Receivers	Eric Price (1)

Here we have the current coaching staff of the Kansas City Chiefs with their years of service to the Chiefs in parentheses, courtesy of KCChiefs.com. As I see it, Todd Haley will have to at the very least fill 5-6 positions that are currently vacant, mostly on the defensive side of the ball.

All of the current coaches' jobs are hypothetically on the line. If you noticed, every single coach on the current staff came with or after Herm Edwards was hired as head coach in 2005. Former Chiefs DC Gunther Cunningham was the only holdover from the Vermeil years.

So, expect a lot of changes to the table above in the coming weeks. I think it would serve Todd Haley well to keep Chan Gailey on as offensive coordinator. Gailey put together a spread offense on the fly last year, with a 7th round draft pick at QB no less (in case you missed last season). Think about what he can do with an entire off season with his players and Haley's offensive acumen. I have a lot of confidence in a Gailey-Haley offensive combo, if it turns out that way.

But it probably won't turn out that way. Head coaches have a natural impulse to clean house, to start fresh. Even though Chan Gailey definitely has the football intelligence to be offensive coordinator, he may be viewed as one of the few remaining vestiges of a team that only won two games with him calling the offensive shots.

For now, let's speculate (and I stress speculate) on who we'd like to see fill any of the positions above. We're working on a defensive coordinator post right now. We'll incorporate your thoughts and ideas from this post into that DC one.

Speculate, wish, hope away.

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Comments

New DC

Sean McDermott-secondary coach for the Eagles. The next Steve Spagnulo?

by stevenhu on Feb 7, 2009 12:12 PM CST reply actions

Secondary coach?

I’ve never heard of the guy but that seems like a big jump, especially from team to team instead of a promotion within an organization.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Feb 7, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks for the suggestion too

Keep ’em coming.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Feb 7, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

I imagine a lot of people were saying the same thing when Spags was hired away from the Eagles, going for their LB coach to DC of the Giants. We have 43 pesonnel right now, the Eagles are known for having great D’s, McDermott learned from Spags and perhaps the best DC in the game today-Jm Johnson.

I believe McDermott was rumored to be the new DC in Denver when McDaniels was hired, but I guess not. Haven’t heard anything from him since. Just throwing it out there.

by stevenhu on Feb 7, 2009 1:24 PM CST up reply actions

Obviously something is done right in Pittsburgh almost every year

We should study that team very hard on the defensive side, coaching wise

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 7, 2009 12:48 PM CST reply actions

I added this to help

John Mitchell Asst. Head Coch/Defensive Line
John Mitchell is in his 15th season as the Steelers defensive line coach, ranking him as the longest-tenured member of the Steelers coaching staff. He remained with the team following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.

Mitchell, who joined the Steelers’ coaching staff Jan. 31, 1994, is in his 36th season of coaching, including 16 years at the college level and two in the United States Football League. This is his 18th season as an NFL coach.

Mitchell has been instrumental in the development of the Steelers defensive linemen, including three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton and defensive end Aaron Smith, who earned his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2005. He also helped develop starting defensive end Brett Keisel and nose tackle Chris Hoke, who filled in sensationally for an injuredHampton during the 2004 season.

Under his guidance, Pittsburgh’s defensive front helped shut down its opponents’ offensive rushing attack all season in 2006 as the team did not allow a single 100-yard rusher all season. The Steelers ranked third in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing just 88.3 yards per game.

Keith Butler Linebackers Coach
Keith Butler enters his sixth year on the Steelers’ coaching staff after joining the staff prior to the 2003 season. He remained on staff following Mike Tomlin’s hiring in January, 2007.

Butler and Tomlin previously worked together at Memphis in 1996, where Butler was the linebackers/defensive ends/special teams coach and Tomlin served as the Tigers defensive backs coach.

Butler was named the Steelers’ linebackers coach Jan. 28, 2003, after serving the previous four seasons in a similar capacity with the Cleveland Browns (1999-02).

Butler has been instrumental in the development of the Steelers’ highly regarded linebacking corps. The unit includes two Pro Bowl players, James Farrior and James Harrison. Under Butler’s tutelage, Farrior has led the Steelers’ defense in tackles for the past two seasons. Butler has also helped groom one of the team’s defensive surprises of 2007 in Harrison, who was elected as a Pro Bowl starter after the 2007 season. Harrison was originally a rookie free agent with the Steelers in 2000 that re-signed with the team just before training camp in 2004 after a year’s absence.

Ray Horton Defensive Backs Coach
Ray Horton is in his second season as defensive backs coach after serving the previous three seasons as assistant defensive backs coach. He was promoted to his current position after Mike Tomlin was hired in January, 2007.

Horton has helped perennial Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu become one of the NFL’s top safeties as Polamalu has been to the past three league all-star games in Hawaii.

Horton has accumulated 14 years of NFL coaching experience following a solid 10-year NFL playing career. Prior to his Steelers’ appointment on Jan. 24, 2004, Horton spent the previous two seasons atDetroit as the Lions’ secondary coach.

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 7, 2009 12:54 PM CST reply actions

I like Butler

I keep thinking this guy will make a great DC (UCrawford backs it). The Steelers’ linebackers have been great year after year. It has been speculated that Whisenhunt will hire him to be the next DC in Arizona.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/06/butler-could-be-candidate-to-replace-pendergast/

I think we should definitely take a look at this guy.

by Nelly on Feb 7, 2009 3:18 PM CST up reply actions

I was able to watch Butler play in college in Memphis

awesome talent, heck of a man.

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 7, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

WTF

is Krumrie still doing with a job!?

by KansasCityShuffle on Feb 7, 2009 1:09 PM CST reply actions

#$%^*&^%^%

Amen

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 7, 2009 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

I know :/

I like the guy’s story. Why can’t he be a better coach? :////

You think it's coincidence that I bleed red?

by Mully on Feb 7, 2009 1:48 PM CST up reply actions

Cards DC Pendergrast

The Cards let him go would he we bring him in at DC or another position.

by km230015 on Feb 7, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions

Another Position

I was not impressed with his D. I think he should come in as an assistant coaching the linebackers. He was not successful in Arizona coaching more talent than we have here at the moment and that worries me.

by Nelly on Feb 7, 2009 3:57 PM CST up reply actions

Nobody mentioned Romeo Crennel?

Shocking. I think Romeo would be a great fit and he knows Pioli very well from his time with the Pats.

by TheQ on Feb 7, 2009 6:24 PM CST reply actions

Bill Williamson thinks Todd Bowles

might be the cadidate for DC
Todd Bowles was named the Dolphins’ assistant head coach/secondary on January 23, 2008. He joins Miami with eight years of experience as an NFL assistant, the past three of which were spent with the Cowboys, where he served as the team’s secondary coach.

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 7, 2009 6:29 PM CST reply actions

Crennel

You have just received the Amish Virus. Since we do not have electricity or computers, you are on the honor system. Please delete all of your files.

Thank thee

by JChief on Feb 7, 2009 7:30 PM CST reply actions

Agreed, Crennel

he has HC experience, not the best record as HC, but has been there. He was a good coordinator in NE, of course they have people leave every year, and never miss a beat.

Now hopefully this team is fun to watch again! Thanks Scott, Clark!!

by Eric Allen on Feb 7, 2009 7:50 PM CST up reply actions

Romeo oh Romeo

How far off Pioli’s radar screen art thou Romeo?

All losses in the 2009 season will be Herm and Carls fault.

by Idahochief on Feb 7, 2009 8:23 PM CST up reply actions

No reason to keep Gailey

From what little Halley said at the press conference, he’s going to be bringing in his own offensive system and is going to want to change the terminology to what he is familiar with (which will be the 3rd different offense in the last 3 years).

If they were going to keep the framework of the offense and terminology the same as it is now, I can see keeping Gailey, but if Halleys going to change everything, whats the point? Let him bring in someone that’s already familiar with what he wants rather than making an old man like Gailey learn something new.

by ChiefDJ on Feb 7, 2009 8:07 PM CST reply actions

First of all

Gailey is as capable of learning new offensive terminology as any of the players. Second of all, you are right, old dogs do not equal new tricks. The youth movement in KC is more an avalanche of age discrimination, sweeping the slopes clean of old school old farts.

All losses in the 2009 season will be Herm and Carls fault.

by Idahochief on Feb 7, 2009 8:32 PM CST up reply actions

Didn't he say

He wanted to keep the terminology in the press conference?

by Joel Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions

Where's Dave McGiness these days?

He failed as a head coach but the guy was a very good DC and could motivate players quite well. Is he someone’s DC?

by DonnyDonovan on Feb 7, 2009 8:55 PM CST reply actions

He is now the Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach for the Tennessee Titans.

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 7, 2009 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

New Staff :a mindless speculation

OC/ QB coach- David Lee (MIami, prior to that Dall)

DC – Romeo Crennell

WR- Deitrick Ward

TE- Mike Devlin (Jets)

OL- Steve Marshall (Clev)

RB- Sam Gash

DL- (Bob Nunn (GB)

LB- Joe Barry (Det)

DB- Mel Tucker (Cleve)

by FrankPitts on Feb 7, 2009 10:27 PM CST reply actions

I must admit

The most impressive defense of the broncos recent era came from shanny raiding cleveland and producing the brownco’s. They have sucked ever since about mid season 2005. Just say no to clevelandites.

All losses in the 2009 season will be Herm and Carls fault.

by Idahochief on Feb 7, 2009 10:47 PM CST up reply actions

I thought Mek Tucker took a DC job with a team?

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 8, 2009 12:50 PM CST up reply actions

Full Press on Butler

Butler is my choice , I’ve been on this guy’s ban wagon since “Gun” left . I believe the Chiefs should inject the 3-4 defense this coming season . Keith has been working the last 5 season under one of the best defensive cord. in the business in Dick LeBeau , it’s time for Butler to be his own man and run his own defensive. We can’t argue of the success of the Steelers defense. I really believe Butler can bring the attitude that our defense needs . You have to know that the linebackers play a huge role in a 3-4..I say give Butler a shot.

blu

by blu43 on Feb 8, 2009 9:19 AM CST reply actions