Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley has made another coaching change.
After taking over as offensive coordinator for Chan Gailey prior to the season, Haley has demoted receivers coach Dedric Ward and elevated Richie Anderson in his spot according to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star.
We're not sure exactly what's going on but it's no secret that the receivers have been a point of concern for Haley, who said they "have to be better across the board" in today's session with the media.
Anderson came to the Chiefs this season as a member of the NFL's minority coaching fellowship program. He was previously the receivers coach with the New York Jets in 2006. He went to the Cardinals the following season but was only on staff for four games after he was arrested for soliciting a prostitute. The charges were later dropped.
He was in the NFL for 12 years as a fullback.
More info on the situation after the jump.
Ward was an assistant coach with the Cardinals while Haley was there and the receivers coach for Missouri State prior to that. This was his first season as a position coach in the NFL.
Per receiver Bobby Wade, the move isn't expected to change much with the players.
"Richie’s been helping out for us," Wade said. "He’s been in our position meetings and at practice anyway. Dedric Ward’s still out there helping. So I think it’s more of a change for the coaches than for us. It’s not a drastic thing for us as players. It has more to do with how (Haley) wanted to see things done."
Wade acknowledged that everyone in the locker room has to be open to change, especially for a group that, per Haley, isn't getting it done. On the other hand, Wade says, it's important to know your position coach and know him well.
"In my experience, it’s really important to build a rapport with your receivers coach,’’ Wade said. "He needs to understand you as an individual and what you can do on the field and what you might lack as far as skill. Then he needs to give you the best opportunity to play up to your ability.
"So it’s important for every position to have a coach that’s going to be there and going to be consistent.’’
Anderson is a Pioli/Haley/Parcells guy. Click here for the Chiefs connection.
(H/T stagdsp in the FanShots)