It's Official Todd Haley is the New Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs

by Hawkwind on Feb 6, 2009 6:25 AM MST in General Arizona Cardinals News

Hat-tip to Lanier63 and Red Reign for breaking the news on ROTB late last night.

It didn't take very long. On Wednesday we learned that the Chiefs had asked permission to interview Todd Haley and late last night he accepted their offer to become the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. He becomes the 11th head coach of the Chiefs and he takes over a team that finished 2-14, although they did rely quite a bit on rookies in 2008. He'll have some huge decisions to make early on in his tenure considering that his two biggest stars, Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, both want out of the organization. For anyone looking for complete coverage, check out our sister-blog Arrowhead Pride, as I'm sure this will dominate their coverage for the next couple of days.

The Cardinals are now left to pick up the pieces. It's not very often that our coordinators are plucked by other teams, but I guess that's another sign of becoming a successful franchise. Whoever ends up stepping into Haley's old position will have some huge shoes to fill. The season before Haley took over the offense (2006), the Cardinals were 18th in yards per game and 19th in points per game. They saw improvement during the 2007 season moving to 12th and 7th respectively, but the biggest improvement came this past season when the offense jumped to 4th in total yards and 3rd in scoring.

It might be too early to have any idea where the Cardinals will begin the search for new coordinator, but it'll be interesting to see if they promote an in-house candidate or if they chose to look outside the organization. If they look at their current group of coaches, Russ Grimm and Maurice Carthon would have be names that are considered. Grimm already wears the hats of assistant head coach and offensive line coach, so he might not be the ideal candidate. Carthon, the current running backs coach, has six season of experience at offensive coordinator with the Lions, Browns and Cowboys. Anyone like either or these candidates or would you rather look outside of the organization? Any candidates you'd like to see them interview, either around the league or in the college ranks?

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Update: How about some good news for a change, Darren Urban is reporting that Haley can't take any assistants with him to KC because they're all under contract. The Cardinals would have to allow them to leave by releasing them from thier contract and he says the only real possibility is offensive quality control coach, Dedric Ward.

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Good luck to Haley, he deserves the opportunity

It sucks to see him go, but I trust Whiz to select a solid successor.

by AJ BirdWatcher on Feb 6, 2009 6:35 AM MST reply actions

Hey guys, we didn't mean to rob ya but

When you get a winning organization, these things are going to happen. I pulled for the Cards in the Super Bowl, not only because of the fact you guys were in your first game there, but because of the class your team has become. Congrats on a great season! And thanks for nurturing us a new head coach. I think Whisenhut won’t have to look hard or far to find a successor for Haley.

We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.

Ok already, if you don't agree with what I am saying, just don't email my mom again. She beat the crap out of me with my keyboard!

"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Feb 6, 2009 7:21 AM MST reply actions

Sadly it was a foregone conclusion Haley was going to get a head coaching job sooner or later. Sadly for Cards fans of course, not for him. I think its a good fit for him in KC with a young owner and GM, and I think its more likely now that the Chiefs will draft WR Crabtree in the first round, which means Seattle won’t get him, which is good news all around. :)

As for a replacement for Haley, I guess Carthon makes sense-Grimm has too many other responsibilities I think. I’d have to see the news being bandied about from outside the organization to replace him before deciding if Carthon is the best fit or not.

Good luck to Todd with the Chiefs. Too bad the Cards don’t play them this upcoming season, that’d be fun.

by Kallor on Feb 6, 2009 8:03 AM MST reply actions

Awww....c'mon Hawk

I “broke the news” in the Whiz post an hour earlier :)

When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome again.
-Barney Stinson

by Red Reign on Feb 6, 2009 9:30 AM MST reply actions

Chiefs are getting a good coach..

He may call some head scratchers every now and then but I think he’s a good fit. Good luck Todd.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 6, 2009 11:25 AM MST reply actions

I think Haley's decision will affect Kurt's desire to retire and expedite Qs departure. A few quotes from espn...

Boldin said the departure is “definitely a blow” to the team.

“But it’s the NFL. The coaches get jobs here and there. Players are moved here and there,” he said. “One thing that happens is guys have to find a way to fill in. I’m pretty sure they’ll get somebody to do that.”

If you notice Q said they and not we as if it is a foregone conclusion that he is no longer part of the team.

Also this one.

“We worked very closely over the past two years to really build this thing the way we wanted it and shape the offense, and kind of design it around our playmakers and utilizing both our minds to do that,” he said. “It’s going to be different not having him around. But bottom line is I’m sure coach Whis is going to do a great job of bringing in a replacement and other guys are going to work together well.”

Kurt first talked about how well he and Haley worked together. He then said that whoever Whiz brought in would work together well with the other players excluding himself. Could this be the sign of the new times. New OC (Haley’s gone), new DC (Pendergast’s gone), possibly new QB (Kurt might be gone), possibly new WR (Q might be gone) and almost assuredly a new HB (can’t see Edge staying).

by hevchv on Feb 6, 2009 10:08 PM MST reply actions

I think they both affect each other.

If one of them agrees to stay, the other will too.

Hey, hey, hey hey hey, watch the language, ok? I have a family.
Revenge of the Birds

by Andrew602 on Feb 7, 2009 5:09 PM MST up reply actions

I just watched a clip from Q at the PB saying that for him to come back, Kurt has to come back. That won’t be the deciding factor, but it does show what Kurt means to the team. Here’s an idea. Kurt as the OC. Win, win. He stays on, no concussions and he will run the same offense, well.

by hevchv on Feb 6, 2009 10:48 PM MST reply actions