Kansas City Chiefs Revamped Staff Brings Plenty of Experience

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Following the firing of Herm Edwards, Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli probably knew that his first coaching hire could define his entire career.  If his first head coach was successful, Pioli could build on a reputation that is already just this side of glowing.

Outside of wins and losses, how does one measure whether or not that head coach choice was a good one?  By the coaches he in turns hires to fill out his staff.

At first glance, it appears Scott Pioli has scored a grade of A+ in the decision making process.  Whether that will spell out wins once the games count is still anybody’s guess.

Head coach Todd Haley came to Kansas City after spending the last two years as the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. 

Under Haley, the Cardinals offense was one of the NFL’s most explosive units. Arizona averaged 26.7 points per game and ranked fourth in the league in total offense, putting up over 365 yards a game. 

Haley’s offense was especially prolific through the air, averaging over 290 yards per game.

Despite being just 42, Haley has more than served his due.  Entering his 15th year as a coach in the NFL, he’s served as a staffer for six different teams; making his debut in 1995 with the New York Jets.

The 13th ranked offense in 2008 should benefit greatly from Haley’s expertise.

Whether Haley calls the plays himself or turns the offense over to his assistants is yet to be seen, but should he feel the need for help, he has two very good ones on the offensive side.

Assistant head coach Maurice Carthon might best be known as a running back for the New York Giants during their heyday under Bill Parcells, but for the last 15 years he’s begun to build quite a name for himself as an up and coming offensive mind.

Carthon followed Haley to Kansas City after spending the last two years on the Cardinals staff serving as running backs coach.  Before that, Carthon spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.

Under his tutelage, Kellen Winslow matured into a top flight NFL tight end, leading the league at his position with 89 catches.  The Chiefs will be counting on Carthon to mine that sort of season out of presumed new starting tight end Brad Cottam, after the team shipped future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez off to Atlanta.

Chan Gailey is one of six holdovers from the Herm Edwards regime and by far the most prominent member of the staff.  Gailey enters his second season as offensive coordinator for the Chiefs, and his 32nd year in the coaching profession overall. 

Gailey will not only serve as a top notch offensive coordinator, but also as someone to lean on for the rookie head coach.

Gailey has served as a head coach both in college and the pros, and no one on the staff understands better the ups and downs that come in a season as “The Man” on an NFL team.

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