It Won't Be Hard to Coach Better than Gunther Cunningham
by Chris Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 3:06 PM CST
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Offseason
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It was only after he left Kansas City that Gunther Cunningham was told his yellow glasses did not give him special coaching powers.
As we noted yesterday, new Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley currently has about a half dozen open coaching positions that he needs to fill. Most notable out of those open positions is defensive coordinator. And with the exit of Gunther Cunningham, we'll no longer have to put quotes around "Defensive" Coordinator anymore.
It won't be difficult for Todd Haley and Scott Pioli to find a replacement that will be more successful than the Chiefs previous DC Gunther Cunningham.
Simply put, Cunningham's second tenure with the Chiefs as defensive coordinator was indefensibly terrible. Let me stress indefensible. Cunningham, even though he was fighting through some truly horrible drafts by the Chiefs, led some of the worst defenses in franchise history. The Chiefs gave up an average of nearly 400 yards a game last year on defense.
What's sad about that performance is that Cunningham is a known workaholic, meaning it's his ability and not his work ethic that failed him. He put in the hours and the research. He just doesn't have the same acumen as others. It's sad but true. The league has passed Cunningham by.
How did Cunningham react when he left Kansas City for Detroit? Excuses, excuses, excuses. He threw Herm under the bus after he left, citing scheme and youth issues.
If I had failed as miserably as Cunningham did at my job, I'd throw people under the bus too. I would be doing what he's doing- deflecting criticism away from my clear lack of ability.
What the Chiefs need is a defensive coordinator who isn't satisfied with leaving a 2-14 team for an 0-16 team and making excuses on his way out. We need a DC that is on the way up, not on the way down.
Under Pioli and Haley, you can bet our new DC will perform like a professional and not a coaching side show.
After the jump, we have a list of possible defensive coordinators for the Chiefs. None of these guys are excuse makers, complacent in their jobs or look for reasons to fail instead of reasons to succeed.
Like with Todd Haley, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Chiefs pick another coach who hasn't held the position before. Of the candidates I've mentioned after the jump, Romeo Crennel is the only one to have previously held a defensive coordinator position. These initial candidates are just the begining of the coaches we'll look at. This isn't meant to be the end all be all DC post. Just some nice reading on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Many thanks to you guys for giving me your suggestions yesterday.
Todd Bowles
Current position: Miami Dolphins Assistant Head Coach and Secondary Coach (Bio)
Age: 43
Relative to other candidates, Todd Bowles has little upper level coaching experience. He started his NFL coaching career as the defensive backs coach of the New York Jets in 2000.
From 2001 to 2004, Bowles was employed by the Cleveland Browns. He was the defensive nickel package coach in his first three years and the secondary coach in his last year there. In 2004, the Browns ranked 5th in the league in pass defense. The Browns thirteen passing touchdowns allowed in 2003 tied for the fewest allowed in franchise history.
After Cleveland, Bowles spent the next three years with the Cowboys serving as their secondary coach. Dallas' pass defense was middle of the road while Bowles was coaching there, despite talented personnel such as Roy Williams and Terrence Newman. He is currently the secondary coach for the Miami Dolphins, a position he's held for only one year.
Prior to his NFL coaching career, Bowles played safety for eight years with the Redskins and 49ers. After his playing days, he worked in the player personnel department of the Green Bay Packers from 1995-96. He was also the defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Morehouse College in 1997 and defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at Grambling State from 1998-99.
Bowles was a candidate for the Lions and Rams head coaching jobs this past month, even going so far to say the Lions head coaching job was the one "he really wants."
Bowles would run a 3-4 defense if he came to KC. The Chiefs currently run a 4-3.
Sean McDermott
Current position: Philadelphia Eagles Secondary Coach (Bio)
Age: 34
McDermott is another secondary coach whose name has been getting traction this off season as a possible defensive coordinator, most notably in Denver and Green Bay.
McDermott played safety at William & Mary from 1994 to 1997 before beginning his 11 year coaching career with the Eagles as a scouting administrative coordinator. He was promoted to assistant head coach in 1999.
From there, McDermott served in a number of capacities for the Eagles. He was an assistant defensive backs coach and a defensive quality control coach before becoming the secondary coach in 2003.He served at that position for the next three seasons.
In 2007, after then Eagles linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo left to become DC of the New York Giants, McDermott took over coaching the linebackers. He turned a couple of mid round picks into starting linebackers before being renamed secondary coach in January 2008.
The Eagles reportedly think the world of McDermott, who is most definitely a candidate to replace ailing defensive coordinator Jim Johnson.
McDermott has that wunderkind tag attached to him which makes me think that the Eagles will do their best to hang on to him. I think he could be an exciting hire for the Chiefs, if we're able to pull him away from Philly.
Keith Butler
Current position: Pittsburgh Steelers Linebackers Coach (Bio)
Age: 52
After eight seasons at Memphis and one season as the defensive coordinator at Arkansas State, Butler became the linebackers coach with the Cleveland Browns (1999-2002) before moving to Pittsburgh.
Butler has been the Steelers linebackers coach for the last six years. If you've been paying attention to football at all during that time, you know that Keith Butler has been doing a heck of a job. Just looking at the current roster, the Steelers have two Pro Bowl linebackers in James Farrior and James Harrison. Harrison, who returned an interception for a touchdown to complete the longest defensive play in Super Bowl history, was also the 2008 defensive player of the year.
In 2005,
Bottom line, Keith Butler has been extremely successful coaching linebackers in Pittsburgh. He's taken stars and made them better. He's taken undrafted free agents and turned them into players of the year. The guy is obviously a top notch coaching talent.
Butler has been rumored to be a possible replacement for Clancy Pendergast, who was the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator until just after the Super Bowl. Nothing has come of that so far but Butler's track record indicates he's ready for a defensive coordinator job and it may come in 2009.
Romeo Crennel
Current position: None (Fired as the Browns head coach after the 2008 season)
Age: 61
Out of these candidates we've looked at, Rome Crennel has by far the most experience coaching in the NFL. Take a look at his long resume:
| Teams as coach/admin | |
| 1970-1974 | Western Kentucky |
| (Defensive Line Coach) | |
| 1975-1977 | Texas Tech |
| (Defensive Assistant) | |
| 1978-1979 | Ole Miss |
| (Defensive Ends Coach) | |
| 1980 | Georgia Tech |
| (Defensive Line Coach) | |
| 1981-1989 | New York Giants |
| (Special Teams Coach) | |
| 1990-1992 | New York Giants |
| (Defensive Line Coach) | |
| 1993-1996 | New England Patriots |
| (Defensive Line Coach) | |
| 1997-1999 | New York Jets |
| (Defensive Line Coach) | |
| 2000 | Cleveland Browns |
| (Defensive Coordinator) | |
| 2001-2004 | New England Patriots |
| (Defensive Coordinator) | |
| 2005-2008 | Cleveland Browns |
| (Head Coach) | |
Quite the resume, no? Crennel's success as a head coach is average at best but that by no means excludes him from defensive coordinator speculation. Crennel was also coaching in New England when Scott Pioli was there, making Crennel the current front runner for the Chiefs defensive coordinator IMO. Of course, this is all speculation on my part.
I'll let Crennel's long experience be the biggest positive I'll mention as far as his candidacy for the DC job. I think he would work well with Pioli and Haley.
***
We'll me checking out more candidates as they come up but for now, let us know what you think about these four guys as possible defensive coordinators for the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Nice post
It may just be lingering sentiment from the old days, but I thought Gun’s parting comments were dead on. He didn’t fit with Herm’s philosophy, period.
I agree that a change was needed, but I’ll be interested to see his results in Detroit. With Schwartz he should be able to run a system that suits him perfectly.
Good luck to him. Hopefully he can redeem himself and prove that it was really more Herm’s fault than his.
Yeah I think he was right too about those comments
Thought it was back handed to mention them though. He had the Lions job (which is literally the only team that would have taken him) already. He should have just said nothing or been more diplomatic.
A good defensive coach would have improved his team, even if he was a square peg in a round hole. Gunther’s defenses got worse though.
by Chris Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 3:33 PM CST up reply actions
As the saying goes....When you hit rock bottom the only way is up.
So I guess Goonther felt that 2-14 wasen’t the very bottom, so to make sure he transferred to an 0-16 team.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Feb 8, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions
I'm Just Waiting Until Year 2 There
When the defense isn’t getting any better and Gunther starts blaming Matt Millen and Rod Marinelli. I think Chris said it best…the league’s passed Gunther by and he refuses to realize it.
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.
unfortunately for Gunther is
if our new DC comes in and is able to get the current players to play better, like night and day, it will confirm everything you said. I would have to lean in your direction and think his legacy he left in KC is not going to be a well remembered one.
Do I even understand what I just said?
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"
Schwartz and Cunningham
We maintain that Cunningham can still compete and likely will succeed under Schwartz. Its the Lions so it should be too tough for him to prove us wrong. The whole backstabbing, bus throwing notion seems taken out of context too. Is there video/audio of it, the inflection makes a big difference when evaluating a guy who never had much ‘media presence.’
Moreover, the “I’m learning more than I ever have” comments from Cunningham seem telling that we were both teaching an old dog new tricks and a bunch of rookies. The smart thing would have been for Herm to implement a DC that could run a cover 2 system. The more that comes out about Edwards temerity and half-assery, the more we place the blame on him. He (herm) actually believed the “this is the same offense” would work in application (we gave him credit that it was a media tactic, surely no idiot seeing the departure of Willie Roaf would believe that).
by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Feb 8, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
“Bowles would run a 3-4 defense if he came to KC, which is what the Chiefs currently run now.”
The Chiefs currently run a 4-3. Also the insinuation that Pioli will be the one who picks the DC is crazy. Haley will hire his own staff. I’m sure he’ll talk to Pioli about it but just like Pioli talked with Clark about HC, it will be Haley’s decision. I don’t know if any of these people will be the next DC. I for one hope it isn’t Romeo Crennel. If I had to pick one of the above candidates, it would be McDermott since he’s more adept at running a 4-3 and that’s what we are currently set up to do.
Also
I didn’t mean to say that Pioli by himself would be making the DC pick. It will be Haley’s choice.
But I do think that Haley and Pioli will be working much closer together than any other GM/head coach combo.
by Chris Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 3:35 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah I saw that to....Haha...did I read that part right the first time?....
or did Chris already change that part?
Man….don’t play with my mind like that.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Feb 8, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions
Too much research
Too quickly. Thanks guys. It’s a group effort around here that’s for sure.
by Chris Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
I had meant to say
That a 3-4 is what the Dolphins currently run, not the Chiefs.
by Chris Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
i'm more creeped out by the guy in the back with the camera
than i am by ted kaczynski
That's the Unabomber's secret gay lover....
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Feb 8, 2009 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
3-4 Defense
I like the idea of moving to a 3-4 but the only hesitation I have about it is where would Glen Dorsey fit in? He has never played NT and Im not sure it his game, I remember reading scouting reports on him last year and they didn’t feel he would fit well in a 3-4. I have a feeling that if we do move to a 3-4 ol Glen will be somewhat of a man without a position, something the staff should think about long and hard.
3-4
No way we go to 3-4 d we dont have the personell nor the line backers for that and true dosey would be toast unless he was an end but hes way to small for 3-4 .
Thanks for the post Chris!
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"
possible Chiefs D-coordinator...
I like both Butler and McDermott on the basis of their recent results – especially Butler, and generally, I’d be happy with any of these four choices. Still, I think Crennel is at best, a long shot to get the job just on the basis of the new youth movement going on in KC. At 61, he would be the voice of the generation most recently in power, and I think one of the things mgmt is as interested in doing is infusing the whole of the organization with the enthusiasm of youth, not just the talent on the field. That said, I like Bowles the best of these four because he too is a product of the Parcells/Belicheck tree, thus more likely to be on the same page as Pioli and Haley from the get. Also, of the four, he’s the dark horse and Pioli just hired a dark horse to be Head Coach.
Thanks for this post
Does anyone have guesses (educated or otherwise) about the time frame for naming a new coordinators/coordinators?
I think Gun was dead on
when he threw Herm under the bus. However, Chan Gailey had the balls to stand up the Herm and Gunther did not. Remember those first few games of last season when it seemed as though Mike Solari had never left? Who do you suppose was responsible for that? Herm Edwards. Chan Gailey at some point had to have said to Herm, “This sh*t isn’t working” and done something about it. This is much to Gailey’s credit. Gunther labored under Herm’s idiot schemes and got himself fired. Gunther should have had the spine to call Herm out on the crap that was going on. Romeo Crennell would be a very good defensive coordinator.
They Weren't Excuses, They were FACTS
Gunther was coaching with both hands tied behind his back. I don’t blame him mfor the lousy performance or regression. I blame Herm, and Gun was just telling the truth. I agree Gun should have refused to Coach Herm’s way, but then he would have been fired, so it was a tough situation for him. I wish him nothing bi=ut luck now that he’s free of Herm, he’ll do fine over time.
As for us, I want Bowles or someone new and fresh, not a retread like Crennel.
DC
I have a feeling that you’ll see a Parcells guy as DC. Both Pioli and Haley have links to Parcells and I think it’ll be someone from Parcell’s “tree” that finds his way to the DC job in KC. From the list compiled here, only Crennell appears to have that link (NYJ under Parcells.)
whoops...
I apologize for the oversight – Bowles also is linked to Parcells both at DAL and MIA. I’ve heard that he’s under contract, though, and may be harder to land.
Heres my take on Gun
Honestly I do think that Gun has to shoulder a lot of the blame. He sucks as a Cover 2 DC and while he busted his butt, he obviously couldn’t work with it. I also think that having a lot of young players (and a lot of injuries) didn’t help. I think he was a “good soldier” by trying to work with Herm, but since he refused to take any blame, it certainly hurt his rep.
Call me Pacman...cuz I MAKE IT RAIN!
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