This will never get old.
New England Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli has agreed to become head of football operations for the Kansas City Chiefs, two NFL sources told ESPN's Michael Smith.
Pioli was seen packing up his office Tuesday afternoon, a Patriots source said.
Sources close to The National Football Post have informed us that New England Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel, Scott Pioli, has accepted an offer to become Head of Football Operations for the Kansas City Chiefs. This ends weeks of speculation as to where Pioli would end up, or if he would stay on board with the Patriots for the 2009 season.
Adam Schefter of the NFL Network:
The Chiefs hired Patriots vice president - player personnel Scott Pioli on Tuesday to be the team’s general manager. Pioli, 43, was considered one of the masterminds behind the Patriots dynasty that won three Super Bowls and four AFC titles over a span of eight seasons.
Our worst nightmare?
Holy Pioli! Scott Pioli accepts Chiefs GM job!
And last, but certainly not least, Arrowhead Pride:
Welcome to a truly new era Chiefs fans. Clark Hunt has successfully moved out of the shadow of his father Lamar with the biggest front office move by the Chiefs in twenty years.
This is Clark Hunt's team now.
Think we're excited? First non-gameday overflow thread!
UPDATE #1: 610 Sports is reporting that Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo interviewed with Clark Hunt in Dallas for the head coaching job. H/T Ridiculous Matt
UPDATE #2: ESPN is reporting that Herm Edwards learned of Pioli's hiring through the media and has sent his assistants home to await word of their fate. H/T Lanier63
UPDATE #3: From the man himself, Clark Hunt (H/T oldchiefsfan):
“We are very excited to welcome Scott to the Chiefs,” Hunt said. “With his proven track record of success, Scott is the finest player personnel executive in the NFL, and we look forward to his leadership in building a championship organization.”
Statement from Patriots owner Robert Kraft (via Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe):
“Scott Pioli was an integral part of the many championships the New England Patriots have celebrated this decade and I would like to thank him for his countless contributions throughout the past nine seasons. Scott is a great evaluator of talent. He is thorough in his evaluations, extremely organized and has done a tremendous job mining all possible resources to help Coach Belichick and his staff field the players needed to win consistently. He has played an important role in building a championship tradition with players that I am proud to call Patriots. On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, I wish Scott continued success in his new role and offer best wishes to his wonderful wife Dallas, and their beautiful daughter Mia. I think Clark Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs have made a very wise hire.”
From Bill Belichick:
"To sum up in words everything Scott Pioli has meant to this organization and to me personally would be difficult, if not impossible. From the day I met him, he has demonstrated a passion for football and respect for the game that is second to none. It has been extremely gratifying for me to follow Scott's career ascension from the bottom of the totem pole in Cleveland to his place as a pillar of championship teams in New England. Now with the opportunity to steer his own ship and a vision of building a winner, there is no more capable, hardworking, loyal, team-oriented person than Scott Pioli."
"On a personal level, the Belichick-Pioli bond runs far deeper than our workplace, as we and our families have shared countless memories away from football. Working side by side with one of my best friends for almost two decades is special enough in itself. But to help each other achieve success beyond our dreams is a blessing and something I will always remember and appreciate."