Todd Haley should not be fired.
I’ve been reading all over the internet (including here) that Haley needs to be dismissed from his duties in Kansas City. Many are saying last year was a fluke and his coaching demeanor has worn thin with his players.
Others have said he methods are unorthodox and aren’t working anymore now that the Chiefs are facing a tougher schedule. Haley has been criticized for the way he’s handled the offensive play-calling duties, jumping from coordinator to coordinator.
I couldn’t disagree more.
If Kansas City fires Haley, it will be in for a long couple of years. This team was atrocious before he and Pioli came into town. Now, there was already talent but it needed to be cultivated properly. Say what you will about Haley, but he finds a way to get greatness out of previously underperforming players.
Does anybody really think Derrick Johnson would be the player he’s become if Haley didn’t sit him on the bench all season? Johnson has not only been better since that year, he’s turned into one of the best inside linebackers in the league.
Dwayne Bowe put up great numbers his first couple of seasons before Haley decided to challenge him. Bowe had a miserable first year under the new leadership and then turned into a dominant playmaker. Does anybody really think that was coincidence?
I’m not suggesting Haley is without fault. He has made questionable decisions on 4th downs in the past and at times been loyal to a fault (see: Jones, Thomas).
What I am suggesting is that the Chiefs would never be where they are right now without Haley’s attitude. Even now when the playoffs are a pipe dream, the team is still playing like they expect to win (see: defense on Sunday night).
It really shocks me when people who adorned him last year want him gone after this one. How is it his fault his team was riddled by injury? I know that the Packers overcame injuries last year, but not to arguably three of their top five players.
Also, let’s not kid ourselves. While Kansas City has a lot of talent in the starting lineup, the team is not setup to take blows like it did this campaign. The depth just isn’t there yet (see: Palko, Tyler) because the roster was incredibly thin just a few short years ago.
Todd Haley deserves to coach this team next season. Just ask Derrick Johnson and Dwayne Bowe.