Report: Kansas City Chiefs Fire Head Coach Romeo Crennel

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Kansas City Chiefs have informed head coach Romeo Crennel that he will not return to the team in 2013.

"

Chiefs fired Romeo Crennel. Scott Pioli safe for now.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2012"

The announcement comes on the heels of a demoralizing 38-3 defeat to the Denver Broncos that punctuated the Chiefs' 2-14 season. 

After a falling out between former head coach Todd Haley and general manager Scott Pioli—stemming from wiretapping allegations (via the Kansas City Star), amongst other issues—Crennel was tagged as the interim head coach in Week 15 of 2011. 

In his debut, the Chiefs blemished the previously undefeated record of the Green Bay Packers. 

Following a 2-1 finish to 2011, Crennel was promoted to head coach last offseason. However, after witnessing the franchise secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, chairman and CEO Clark Hunt had obviously seen enough.

Crennel only managed to produce a disappointing 4-15 record as the head coach of Kansas City.

Meanwhile, the decision regarding Scott Pioli's fate still hangs in the balance. With that being said, the general manager seems to be walking on safer ground than Crennel, according to Schefter: "The Kansas City Chiefs will fire coach Romeo Crennel on Monday, but not general manager Scott Pioli, at least not now, according to league sources."

Hunt and Pioli are said to have a relatively close personal relationship, which may end up doubling as Pioli's security blanket as the offseason progresses. 

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