clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Midseason Awards Reflect Kansas City Chiefs Rise From Worst To First

If you buy something from an SB Nation link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

We've seen a few folks tabbing Todd Haley as the midseason coach of the year. Unfortunately awards at midseason don't really mean anything. It's the ones at the end of the year that count. Nevertheless, the Kansas City Chiefs have surprised sports media with their 5-2 start and the various midseason awards reflect that.

Specifically, Todd Haley is a very popular pick for coach of the year to this point, as is GM Scott Pioli for executive of the year. You'll see some Brandon Flowers in there, along with Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson. Of course there's Romeo Crennel and Thomas Jones, too.

After the jump we've tallied quite a few of the various midseason awards handed out to the Chiefs.

Todd Haley (Clark Judge of CBS Sports Coach of the Year)

The club not only has more victories through seven games than in any of its past three seasons, but it has improved in nearly every phase -- none bigger than turnovers. The Chiefs have a league-low four; a year ago they committed 27. Furthermore, they're unbeaten at home through four games. A year ago they dropped their first four there. That deserves to be recognized. Todd Haley, stand up and be counted.

Todd Haley (Joe Theismann Coach of the Year)

"Todd Haley took a group of guys nobody thought much of and got them to play together as a team," Theismann said. 

Todd Haley (Don Banks of SI.com Coach of the Year)

Haley, along with Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, has changed the losing culture in Kansas City in less than two seasons, and that's the toughest job an NFL coach faces. That Haley is a first-time head coach makes it even more impressive. Despite winning just 10 games in the past three years, Kansas City is already halfway to that total this year in just seven games. The Chiefs are in line to chase their first division title since 2003 in the season's second half.

Todd Haley (Solomon Wilcots of NFL on CBS Coach of the Year)

Anytime you raise the Titanic, going from worst-to-first, he would win for that reason.

Todd Haley (Steve Tasker of NFL on CBS Coach of the Year)

His team is playing almost mistake-free football with talent that is not considered the best in the league and yet they’re sitting atop their division.  They were worst last year and now they’re the best – worst-to-first.

Romeo Crennel (Pete Prisco Clark Judge of CBS Sports Asst. Coach of the Year)

I don't care that they rank 16th in overall defense; what matters is where they rank in points allowed -- fifth. A year ago they were 29th overall in that department and last in the AFC, with six games where they hemorrhaged 30 or more points and three where they surrendered 40 or more. Now they've kept all but one of their opponents to 20 or fewer and are riding atop the AFC West. Something has changed ... no, someone has made a difference, and Romeo Crennel is that someone.

GM Scott Pioli (Peter King of SI.com Executive of the Year)

Ex-Patriot's second draft in K.C. helped Chiefs to surprising 2-game AFC West lead.

GM Scott Pioli (Don Banks of SI.com Executive of the Year)

Kansas City has all the makings of the turnaround story of the year in the NFL, and Pioli's handprints are all over the Chiefs' renaissance. The team's 2010 draft has a chance to be a cornerstone-type class, and the work of newly hired coordinators Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis have quickly paid off as well.

LB Tamba Hali and LB Derrick Johnson (Phil Simms of NFL on CBS Def. Player of the Year)

It’s hard to designate those guys because we want stats – sacks, interceptions.  These two guys have jumped out for doing a little bit of everything.  Johnson has had a special year and if it continues, someone like him might win the most valuable defensive player in the league.

CB Brandon Flowers (Peter King of SI.com All-Pro)

This emerging secondary star plays well bumping and in tight coverage.
Shored up Kansas City line; now Chiefs lead NFL in rushing.


Arrowhead Pride Premier

Sign up now for a 7-day free trial of Arrowhead Pride Premier, with exclusive updates from Pete Sweeney on the ground at Arrowhead, instant reactions after each game, and in-depth Chiefs analysis from film expert Jon Ledyard.