Report: Pendergast, Ward Out as Chiefs Coaches

by Joel Thorman on Jan 28, 2010 5:33 PM CST

The Kansas City Chiefs will soon announce the departure of assistant coach Clancy Pendergast, a team source told Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.

Pendergast was the defensive coordinator last season coming from the Arizona Cardinals with Todd Haley.

Romeo Crennel was hired to coach the defense earlier this month lending plenty of speculation that Pendergast was on his way out. Haley indicated at the press conference introducing Crennel that the decision to stay or go would be up to Pendergast.

Teicher reports the decision for Pendergast to leave was "mutual" between the two sides.

Also out is Dedric Ward, who Teicher reports has been fired.

Ward was the receivers coach for the Chiefs before being demoted in October.

Richie Anderson will continue to fulfill his role as the Chiefs receivers coach.

Potential landing spots for Pendergast are unclear at the moment. He's been "relieved of his duties" from his last two defensive coordinator stints in as many years so I would be a bit surprised if he was anything more than a position coach in 2010.

However, Chan Gailey has hired multiple former Chiefs assistants in Buffalo and has also hinted at potentially running a 3-4 defense. Gailey and Pendergast worked together with the Dallas Cowboys.

With the departure of Bob Bicknell, that makes three coaches off the staff this week.

As always, we wish the best of luck to all of them in the future.

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KNEW IT

I have never heard of a coach sticking around after getting a demotion. Surprised it took this long though.

Hail to the king, baby.

by IISaiNtII on Jan 28, 2010 5:41 PM CST reply actions

i stand corrected

I thought he was on board

Oh well, no big deal

Good luck, good riddens

You're either growing or you're dying, there ain't no third direction
-Big Tom Callahan

by stagdsp on Jan 28, 2010 5:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I do too.

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 5:57 PM CST up reply actions

Gunther Cunningham has something to tell you.

Watching the 2009-2010 Chiefs 12 hours ahead of you (in Taipei, Taiwan).
Twittering my every move. Don't act like you're not even slightly interested.

by webby37 on Jan 28, 2010 7:01 PM CST up reply actions

true. but he left and came back

You're a goddamn quarterback! You know what that means? It's the top spot, kid. It's the guy who takes the fall. It's the guy everybody's looking at first - the leader of a team - who will support you when they understand you. Who will break their ribs and their noses and their necks for you, because they believe. 'Cause you make them believe. That's a quarterback.
--- Any given sunday

Cassel can lead us.

by BEEf_CHIEF on Jan 29, 2010 12:32 AM CST up reply actions

exactly

he left and came back. therefore, it doesn’t apply.

So full of sh*t that toilet bowls have to wipe.

by IISaiNtII on Jan 29, 2010 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

Meh

by HIV 2 Elway on Jan 28, 2010 5:42 PM CST reply actions

Any ideas on replacements

TE Coach
Secondary Coach

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on Jan 28, 2010 5:44 PM CST reply actions

and Clancy thought he was safe.. Not For Long league

Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.

by aPacificChief on Jan 28, 2010 5:45 PM CST reply actions

Wow...

Buffalo is really going for that whole for that whole “below average” thing if they pick up Clancy…who would have thought there was a team that wished they were the Kansas City Chiefs.

by bansky on Jan 28, 2010 5:48 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

lmao.

Cassel can lead us.

by BEEf_CHIEF on Jan 29, 2010 12:33 AM CST up reply actions

Haley is one cold blooded batard for leading Clancy on like that.

I like it!

My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:

"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley

by Red N Gold Beast on Jan 28, 2010 5:48 PM CST reply actions

is that like hoisted on the Petard?

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on Jan 28, 2010 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I'm sorry.

I’m a retart. I could have swore I spelled it right though… I think someone is editing my posts to make me look like a retarted batard.

My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:

"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley

by Red N Gold Beast on Jan 28, 2010 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

My suspicion is that Clancy WAS told he'd be on staff...

And then found out it wasn’t as DC. Which, in turn, would lead to an ego bruise and a desire to walk away. Remember, Haley basically told everyone the choice was his when Crennel came on board.

I will lose a fair amount of respect for Chan Gailey if he brings Pendergast to Buffalo to coordinate ANYTHING. I’m no Mike Lombardi fan, but his criticisms of Pendergast ring true—defenses aren’t fundamentally sound, too many shifts and exotic fronts, inconsistent execution…

The man should be coaching backs and safeties, nothing more (in my passionate, ill-informed, biased, and probably incorrect opinion).

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:02 PM CST up reply actions

I figured he'd be kept around as DB coach.

Haley said some pretty strong words about loyalty and such right before the Crennel hire. Chalk another casualty up for coach speak.

My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:

"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley

by Red N Gold Beast on Jan 28, 2010 6:05 PM CST up reply actions

I did too. Whether he chose or was chosen...he's out.

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:08 PM CST up reply actions

Damn!

We missed the boat on Mr. Pees services. I think he went to Baltimore to be the linebackers coach.

by Stansberry on Jan 28, 2010 5:49 PM CST reply actions

We still got Gibbs @ LB coach

"For what we are about to see next, we must enter quietly into the realm of genius." Scott "Young Frankenstein" Pioli

by Steve_Chiefs on Jan 28, 2010 5:51 PM CST up reply actions

Chiefs announced more changes

Just posted on it.

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Jan 28, 2010 5:52 PM CST reply actions

Glad to see Pleasant still on the staff.

Wonder who we’ll bring on for TE’s and secondary—I bet TE is going to Bernie Parmalee, like Matt_Grbac predicted all along.

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:04 PM CST up reply actions

haha see front page

You're either growing or you're dying, there ain't no third direction
-Big Tom Callahan

by stagdsp on Jan 28, 2010 6:15 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Nice.

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:24 PM CST up reply actions

I can see the Bills bringing in Pendergast. Unfortunately. Was Ward a Haley guy or an Edwards guy?

YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 28, 2010 6:06 PM CST reply actions

Ward was a Haley guy.

Northern IA grad (hence my love affair) who played WR for Parcells and Haley with the Jets and Dallas. Also was the QC guy with Haley in AZ…

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks. We lost our WR coach already so I don’t know who they’re going to get.

YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 28, 2010 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

Gailey could still hire him if he chooses—they did work together until the third game of the preseason.

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:26 PM CST up reply actions

For your sake, I hope we're all wrong about Gailey hiring Pendy.

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:11 PM CST up reply actions

He’s not my first choice.

YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 28, 2010 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

Yes we Chan!

Haha, thats funny.
I know Galey wasn’t a sexy pick, but he did wonders with a terrible offensive team in 2008 given what he had to work with

Ohhh Brett...One more year! One more year! One more year!
Superbowl Prediction - Colts 41 Saints 23

by craig in calgary on Jan 28, 2010 6:35 PM CST up reply actions

I was pushing for a "Give Gailey A CHANce!" slogan with Bills fans...

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 Jan 28, 2010 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

“Chan: two-thirds of change” is one of my faves

YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 28, 2010 7:04 PM CST up reply actions

He did--the Gailey hire is totally boring, but COULD pan out beautifully for Buffalo.

But he’s got to have someone with attitude coaching that defense. Like Tenuta when he was at Tech, Capers when he was at Pittsburgh, Campo when he was with Dallas…

"You've only got 10 fingers to stick in the dike. Is there a breaking point that pushes you over the edge?...Where's the limit?"

-Marty Schottenheimer

by go_saleaumua on Jan 28, 2010 6:39 PM CST up reply actions

so much for the loyalty

I remember arguing the fact that Haley wasn’t loyal to his crew that he brought with him from az (pendey and Ward) and this confirms my opinions all along. He can’t be loyal. He’s gotta make changes. And he was very good friends with ward. Cold but probably a needed move.

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Jan 28, 2010 6:54 PM CST via mobile reply actions

We’re hearing that Bills def. have not contacted Pendergast.

YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 28, 2010 7:04 PM CST reply actions

Well

It’s been less than 12 hours since he was let go. Let him clean out his office and stuff.

My sentiments are likely to be summed up with one of these 2 quotes:

"Shut the f--- up."- Matt Cassel
"WHAT THE F---?!?!"- Todd Haley

by Red N Gold Beast on Jan 28, 2010 7:12 PM CST up reply actions

So you think he wasn’t available to be contacted a week ago? He was demoted. If the Bills wanted him the Chiefs would have given permission in a heartbeat.

YES WE CHAN!
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by MattRichWarren on Jan 29, 2010 9:57 AM CST up reply actions

man i wanted clancy to stay.

i thought flowers and carr were starting to bloom under him. Now I feel like a new coach with new philosophies will have 2 meet flowers and carr and learn how they work all over again. there has been a freakin new coach for them every year so far! hahah

Cassel can lead us.

by BEEf_CHIEF on Jan 29, 2010 12:39 AM CST reply actions

Agreed

I think it would’ve been great for the team if Clancy had stayed to coach DBs. Give him the DBs coach title, plus maybe assistant HC or something. It’s a shame he’s leaving. Ah well.

So…who coaches the DBs? I really feel a lot less confident about the backfield now.

by burntorangehorn on Jan 29, 2010 7:59 AM CST up reply actions

I know I'm going to get killed for this but...

bring Herm back as DBs coach, Carr and Flowers rookie year they both flourished and Herm was here. He’s a DBs guy just saying.
Ok rip away.

The Greatest Trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

Officially on the FIRE TODD HALEY BANDWAGON.

by madtheory on Jan 29, 2010 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

You wouldn't get killed for that

When the rumors about Herm coming to KC to be head coach started swirling, I loudly proclaimed it an entirely stupid idea, because he’s a great DBs coach, but a horrible head coach.

Heck, I felt the similarly about Mike Solari, who is a whiz at coaching the linemen, but was in no way prepared to be OC.

by burntorangehorn on Jan 30, 2010 8:06 AM CST up reply actions