Chiefs Defensive Coaching Staff Expected To Remain Mostly Intact

by Joel Thorman on Jan 13, 2012 11:00 AM CST

Anytime a new head coach comes onto a team there are usually some coaching staff changes that take place but that may not be the case with the Kansas City Chiefs -- at least on defense. Romeo Crennel indicated this week on Sirius XM NFL Radio that he will continue to call the defensive plays and that there are not expected to be a lot of changes to the defensive staff.

"I'll tell you what," Crennel told Adam Schein and Rich Gannon, "the last three games I remained the defensive coordinator and it worked pretty good. I do like the defensive staff that I have working with me. I have guys like [defensive backs coach] Emmitt Thomas, [linebackers coach] Gary Gibbs, [quality control assistant] Otis Smith, [defensive line coach] Anthony Pleasant and [assistant linebackers coach] Adam Zimmer.

"We work very well together so I think that's a pretty good combination and I'll probably keep that going forward to see if we can continue to make it work."

There could be some other changes here and there but it sounds like the defensive staff will remain intact for the most part.

I do wonder, however, if anyone will receive a new title....like defensive coordinator.

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Gibbs or Thomas would be my guess ... if they promote from within, not a bad idea (IMO)

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by upamtn on Jan 13, 2012 11:04 AM CST reply actions

Gibbs seems the natural promotion to me.

Crennel’s defense is LB-based. So, it would stand to reason that the LB coach is in the best position for a promotion there. Also, LB was the only position where Romeo mentioned an assistant position coach (Adam Zimmer). Sounds like that’s a good spot for “next man up”.

"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram

by citadelchief on Jan 13, 2012 2:30 PM CST up reply actions

Crennel knows exactly what's involved with being a HC.

And he knows exactly what kind of help to expect from his current staff. He should be a pretty damned good judge of whether or not he can handle HC/DC duties. Unlike Haley feeling his way through HCing and a new staff his first year.

When you gotta go in the lion's den, you don't go quiet. You go in loud, kick the door down and say WHERE IS THE SONUVABITCH. -B. Billick

by Brsrkr on Jan 13, 2012 11:04 AM CST reply actions

not to mention whatever Haley was doing his 3rd year ...

… whatever it was

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2012 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

What Was Haley Doing His 3rd Year?

Trying to develop players & get players to play hard. Due to the turf battle between haley & Pioli, everyone knew that Haley was a goner after his 2nd year especially after Josh McDaniel’s was fired by the Broncos. Haley knew that he was Pioli’s 3rd choice & that Pioli brought in Haley to kick some butts. The Cheifs were so dyfunctional & Haley was hired so late after the Superbowl that Haley could not hire any quality offensive or defensive coordinators. Chan Gailey (a former head coach) was kept as offensive coordinator even though Gailey & Haley had opposite philosophies so that would never work. Haley did his job & got the team moral & discipline up after the first year, but Pioili brought in Weitz & Crennel with Weitz as a heir apparent as Pioli is afraid of a head strong head coach like Billicek. Pioli’s plan is working fine & Haley will eventually rebound with a head coaching job in 2-3 years. The trend in the NFL is that a larger percentage of head coaches are fired every year so haley will be recycled eventually. What is ironic is that Parcell & Haley promote loyalty & team work, yet Parcell’s son in law Pioli undermined his head coach in several ways. The only thing that matters in the NFL is Superbowl wins so if Pioli, Crennel & soon to be offensive coordinator McDaniel win a Superbowl in the next few years, Pioli will look like a genius. In a few years I’d love to see Haley as Cowboys head coach & McDaniel as Redskins head coach in the same division opposing each other twice each season.

by Chief Fan from DFW on Jan 13, 2012 12:32 PM CST up reply actions

A little out of touch on McDaniels - hired by Pats a week ago or more.

soon to be offensive coordinator McDaniel

If it wasn’t for the accursed paycheck, would I really imprison myself in this dungeon of the human soul?

by electriclight on Jan 13, 2012 2:41 PM CST up reply actions

thats the hope

by Bigcherokeechief on Jan 13, 2012 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

Doubt it

RAC is responsible for the team and he will over see defense playcalling. He is the DC and HC. I don’t blame him if that’s the route he chooses. He is the best DC on team.

How long should you try? Until.
- Jim Rohn

by Matt_Grbac on Jan 13, 2012 11:05 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Kinda stunts the career growth of the other guys. I expect we will have Gibbs as DC.

If it wasn’t for the accursed paycheck, would I really imprison myself in this dungeon of the human soul?

by electriclight on Jan 13, 2012 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

I agree on Gibbs

He probably won’t call the plays in as DC but he’ll take a huge load of RAC in terms of game planning and such. It’s actually no uncommon for coordinators to function like that.

Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur!

by Buck'O on Jan 13, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

RAC will do little in way of any changes. The direction the Defense is going is satisfactory.

Most likely he will delegate more of the mundane duties and any “Title of DC” will be a reward for good service to the cause. Gibbs may well be named DC.

"You talkin' to me? You TALKIN' to me ?" - Travis Bickle

by CatChief on Jan 13, 2012 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

Slooooooow news day, anyone got any new drinking games?

Got some heads coming over tonight, trying to bring something new to the table.

"Why are all these people here? There are too many people on this earth. We need a new plague…"
-Dwight Schrute

by severn58 on Jan 13, 2012 11:12 AM CST reply actions

battle shots
http://trickumlegis.wordpress.com/2011/10/05/battle-shots-is-the-new-beer-pong/
drinking jenga game
http://www.legendarypartyideas.com/adult-party-games-drinking-jenga.html

by chiefsfan83 on Jan 13, 2012 11:49 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting, but I'm more of a card and dice kind of guy.

I’m bringing up an old table from the basement to play quarters on, can’t scratch up the good tables. Just trying to see if anyone has a favorite game they play that I might not have heard of.

/Waits for “Drink the beer”

"Why are all these people here? There are too many people on this earth. We need a new plague…"
-Dwight Schrute

by severn58 on Jan 13, 2012 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

well then, get a Yahtzee game out

use the dice

whatever someone throws with 6 dice is how many shots they have to drink …

come on, man … be creative!

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2012 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

Bah, too lazy to be creative tonight...

Besides, beer drinking games=good times that go on all night

Liquor drinking games=people shitfaced in an hour, with friends usually punching each other in the face

"Why are all these people here? There are too many people on this earth. We need a new plague…"
-Dwight Schrute

by severn58 on Jan 13, 2012 12:21 PM CST up reply actions

this is a liquor game but fun and more of a change of pace game

Vodka roulette. 6 shot glasses 5 of water 1 of vodka. then you chose.

Go luck yourself.

by ottawachiefsfan on Jan 13, 2012 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, the only drinking game I ever played in my life is three man.

When you gotta go in the lion's den, you don't go quiet. You go in loud, kick the door down and say WHERE IS THE SONUVABITCH. -B. Billick

by Brsrkr on Jan 13, 2012 1:47 PM CST up reply actions

Drinking game aficionado here

Dice: 3 man

Cards: asshole, circle of death, drunk driver, sevens, connections, drunk, golf.

It would take forever to explain them. Hopefully google will help you out.

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Jan 13, 2012 3:12 PM CST up reply actions

Oh and beer pong when you get tired of dice and cards

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Jan 13, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions

Damn, did we go to school together? Games I know (Off the top of my dome)

Dice:3 man, 7-11-Doubles

Cards:Asshole, Circle of Death, Up the River-Down the River, Golf, Bullshit Pyramid, Red Black

Also have a foldable regulation beer pong table……You’ve probably run into the same problem I’m at now, I know a rack of games, but I’ve played them all millions of times, so I was just seeing if anyone had any new one’s.

"Why are all these people here? There are too many people on this earth. We need a new plague…"
-Dwight Schrute

by severn58 on Jan 13, 2012 3:31 PM CST up reply actions

A couple I've not seen mentioned

dice: Mexican

cards: Killer Kings

by TwelfthMan on Jan 13, 2012 4:09 PM CST up reply actions

Are you the dude we tailgate next to who brings that huge jenga set every game?!

6 1st round draft picks, 2 Super Bowl Champions and counting

by Another Successful Tedford QB on Jan 13, 2012 12:12 PM CST up reply actions

One coaching position that I think will be important to address that's a little underrated is Special Teams Coordinator.

2 blocked FG’s by the same guy, only 1 return for a TD in the past 2 years, and numerous penalties. Not getting the job done.

by KcChiefsMo on Jan 13, 2012 11:19 AM CST reply actions

Seems like they could hire a young guy as a ST assistant, like a former player or somebody like that.

Somebody who’s a yeller. Let Hoffman stay ST coach, but concentrate on kickers and player evals.

When you gotta go in the lion's den, you don't go quiet. You go in loud, kick the door down and say WHERE IS THE SONUVABITCH. -B. Billick

by Brsrkr on Jan 13, 2012 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

Agreed

The skill positions on ST have been pretty solid…but blocking and discipline have been less than stellar. I imagine the latter has much more to do with coaching than the former, which makes me think a new ST coach should be in order. It’s been a liability this season, and any opportunity to clean that up needs to be taken.

by cheapham on Jan 13, 2012 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

Eh, not sure

Special teams were steady. Not spectacular, but never really screwing us (until the faders game there). Kicking and punting were great for the most part. Can’t remember any big gaffes on coverage. I think we finished near the top in punt return average.

If they do get a new ST coach I really hope they retain Hoffman in his position prior to KC – kicking coach. That’s his specialty and it shows. Succop credited him for helping correct his form after the early season slump and of course Colquitt is consistently awesome.

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Jan 13, 2012 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

Heard talk of Al Saunders this morning for OC

That would be nice.

by Brad-KC on Jan 13, 2012 11:39 AM CST reply actions

He knows how to run an offense, we know that.

"The Hammer"

by G.L. on Jan 13, 2012 12:13 PM CST up reply actions

he's ok, I guess

maybe
sort of
I mean, he’d do in a pinch
perhaps

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2012 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

so mayhaps

it might work,
if given the opportunity…
hmmm, Al Saunders might do the trick.
Is he bringing Kris WIlson?
That is his secret weapon you know…
There is a chance,
possibly.
Oh, who knows?

Can we have Mike Solari back from San Fran too?
That could fly? To coach the line…

Meh...
I don't only want to stand out here when we get our asses kicked... I like to stand out here when we kick somebody else's ass... Big Win, Big Win ~ Todd Haley
@w_a_watts

by Chief-blinders-on on Jan 13, 2012 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

Just playing devil's advocate

Many were against Haley being the HC/OC because it was too much to worry about. Why now is it ok for Romeo to do the same with DC?

Disclaimer: I think Romeo can do it successfully, I’m just curious about the change of heart.

by Steve_in_RI on Jan 13, 2012 12:30 PM CST reply actions

History

Haley showed quite clearly in his first year that he wasn’t any good at it, and he didn’t have any previous HC experience.

Crennel already has experience, he is keeping basically the same staff, and we saw him do it successfully (although only for 3 games).

Plus, his personality leads me to believe that he knows how to handle the stresses. Haley was always so wound up, and you could tell it all got to him.

by misterbrain on Jan 13, 2012 12:41 PM CST up reply actions

I agree on the personality and temperment

by Steve_in_RI on Jan 13, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

Because Romeo is not a first time head coach.

And Haley only called plays one year before he came to KC. Crennel has been calling plays a long, long time. He also has experience as a head coach.

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by Tarkus on Jan 13, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Good point

by Steve_in_RI on Jan 13, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

(huge grin)

I was one of few who did NOT think Haley “running the offense and/or calling plays” would be a good idea … and I said that numerous times, only to be told that Haley was so good and such a genius that he could do anything and everything with the offense yadda yadda yadda

and I do know that Crennel’s been HC before (Haley is still a wet-behind-the-ears puppy) and Crennel most likely COULD to both, but guess what: I’d prefer that even HE wear only one hat and do only one job … Head Coach, with his attention on the TEAM on gameday, both sides of the ball

(so you see, I’m consistent)

by upamtn on Jan 13, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

dude I hope we get to meet one day

I love your responses lol.

And I have already offered my apologies on being wrong about Haley’s genius, but I think we will hear about him again in the future having learned his lesson.

by Steve_in_RI on Jan 13, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed.

Talk about your plenty, talk about your ills/
One man gathers what another man spills

by go_saleaumua on Jan 13, 2012 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

I agreed, kind of...

I’m not diametrically opposed to a HC also serving as a coordinator, or at least calling plays. I see how it might concern some, and I see where some people would be ok with that level of control. What it tells me is that he doesn’t trust anyone on his staff to execute his vision of that side of the ball.

Some coaches, it will work, but usually it doesn’t. I was against Haley calling plays because I didn’t think he could handle it. If Crennel didn’t have the last 3 games of the season to test it out, I’d probably be against it right now. However, I think I’m ok with it this time.

by misterbrain on Jan 13, 2012 12:49 PM CST up reply actions