Can Todd Haley Lead the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs to the Promise Land?

Can a first-year head coach take the 2009 Kansas City Chiefs to a place they have not been in decades?

Not much is known about Todd Haley's ability to lead in his first foray as a head coach at any level, but optimism in Kansas City abounds after Haley led Arizona's high-flying offense last season into a Super Bowl appearance despite a very mediocre 9-7 record.

During the 2008 offseason, the Chiefs made several on-field changes at the top including the firing of former head coach Herm Edwards and most of Edwards' top assistants. Holdovers from Edwards' staff include offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and defensive line coach Tim Kumrie.

Haley, and to some extent new general manager Scott Pioli, brought in as defensive coordinator Haley's former comrade in Arizona, Clancy Pendergast, who was ushered out from the desert after Arizona's February Super Bowl lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Gailey, back as offensive coordinator after successfully switching in midseason from a power running base scheme to a spread to accommodate quarterback Tyler Thigpen's skill set, is a key cog in the Chiefs' offensive machine.

The former national championship coach at Georgia Tech has 15 years of National Football League coaching experience, including two as a head coach with the Dallas Cowboys. Gailey, who also has spent six years as an offensive coordinator in the NFL, is taking control of the reigns in Haley's high-flying offense.

Maurice Carthon, who spent the last two seasons as running backs coach with Haley in Arizona, is Kansas City's new assistant head coach/running backs.

Carthon and Haley also coached together in 2004 in Dallas as part of the Cowboys staff. Carton was offensive coordinator and Haley was passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach.

A Super Bowl champion during his playing days with the New York Giants, Carthon brings instant credibility to the Chiefs, which in turn may help turn around the fortunes of misguided running back Larry Johnson.

On the other side of the ball, the attention and the heat is on defensive coordinator Pendergast. Pendergast defenses' in Arizona were known for speed and attack ability, but often displayed a lack of consistency to become a dominant unit.

However, during Arizona's' run to the Super Bowl last season, the Cardinals' defense produced a NFL-best 13 turnovers and 10 sacks in the playoffs, while allowing a mere 72.5 rushing yards per game in the postseason.

Somehow, Pendergast is going to have to get the Chiefs' defense to play much better in 2009 or there will not be a postseason to worry about in Kansas City.

Former New Orleans defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs is the Chiefs' new linebackers coach. Krumie retains his spot as defensive line coach despite the unit setting an NFL record for fewest sacks in a season. Both are responsible this season for getting their respective units to play respectable football on the defensive side of the ball.

Truth be told, Kansas City's 2009 coaching staff has five coaches who have NFL experience either as a head coach or a coordinator. That experience will only factor if the coaches are all on the same page and all have the same goal in mind: an AFC West title, a trip to the playoffs, and a possible Super Bowl appearance.

Below is a complete list of coaches for the '09 Chiefs.

2009 Kansas City Chiefs Coaching Staff

Offense

Todd Haley, Head Coach; Maurice Carthon, Assistant Head Coach; Chan Gailey, Offensive Coordinator; Bob Bicknell, Tight Ends; Dedric Ward, Wide Receivers; Bill Muir, Offensive Line; Joe D'Alessandris, Assistant Offensive Line; Nick Sirianni, Offensive Quality Control

Defense

Clancy Pendergast, Defensive Coordinator; Gary Gibbs, Linebackers; Tim Krumrie, Defensive Line; Ronnie Bradford, Defensive Assistant; Joel Collier, Defensive Assistant; Pat Perles, Defensive Quality Control

Special Teams and Strength and Conditioning

Steve Hoffman, Special Teams; Cedric Smith, Strength and Conditioning; Brent Salazar, Assistant Strength and Conditioning