Kansas City Chiefs: 5 Coaches to Replace Todd Haley in 2012

It was reported last week by Nick Wright from 610 Sports Radio that had the Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Indianapolis Colts, Scott Pioli would have fired Todd Haley. The Chiefs and Pioli denied the report and say there was never a plan to fire Haley.

While the Chiefs deny Wright's report, it is still reasonable to believe that Pioli has Haley on a short leash. Defeating two winless teams pulled the Chiefs out of last place in the AFC West.

But will the Chiefs continue to win games against tougher opponents?

As always, the Chiefs' front office will keep their lips sealed and deny certain reports and rumors.

If Pioli decides to let go of Haley, here are five coaches who could replace him in 2012.

Kirk Ferentz

Chiefs fans are going to draw the relationship Kirk Ferentz has with recent Iowa Hawkeyes in Ricky Stanzi and Tony Moeaki.

However, it's his relationship with Pioli that would allow him to come to Kansas City.

Pioli and Ferentz were both part of the Cleveland Browns from 1993-1995 and in 1996 with the Baltimore Ravens.

Outside of professional football, Ferentz took over the head coaching job with the Iowa Hawkeyes and has constructed a strong program during his time there.

Ferentz has coached the Hawkeyes to nine bowl games, winning six of them. Iowa's football program has currently won their past three bowl games, with their most prestigious bowl game being the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech in 2010.

Ferentz leaving Iowa won't be an easy one for him. But if he does, Kansas City is a little more than 300 miles south of Iowa City. The Chiefs could be Ferentz's top choice if a job in Kansas City opens up.

Gregg Williams

Gregg Williams could very well be considered the best assistant coach in the league today.

While being a head coach for the Buffalo Bills was a disaster for him, he has learned from his experience after working with Joe Gibbs in Washington and Sean Payton in New Orleans.

While taking over a struggling Saints defense, Williams helped the team play better on defense and was a key piece that helped the team win a Super Bowl over the Colts in 2010.

As a defensive coordinator, Williams, a native of Excelsior Springs, Mo., has coached a top 10-ranked defense in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2010.

If Romeo Crennel is still with the team as the defensive coordinator, he and Williams will be able to do a lot to help the Chiefs become a strong defense.

His redemption tenure could be with Kansas City where he learns from his errors and makes up for them as a Chief.

Jon Gruden

Jon Gruden left the Oakland Raiders and took a head coaching position in 2002 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his first year, Gruden won the Super Bowl against his previous team.

Although Gruden's Buccaneers did not win another playoff game, he put together a strong defense in Tampa Bay. For five of his seven seasons with the Buccaneers, Gruden's defense was ranked in the top 10 in points and yards given up.

Gruden also worked with current Chiefs offensive coordinator Bill Muir. Gruden and Muir both entered Tampa Bay in 2002 and were let go of after the 2008 season.

While Muir joined Haley in Kansas City, Gruden went on to take a broadcasting gig with ESPN.

While some head coaches are out of the game, they like to spend time at home with their families and travel less. For Gruden, traveling is still part of his life as he helps analyze the game of football for ESPN. Having the itch to come back after watching many games from the press box could get him to come back.

It would also be interesting to see what Gruden would do with his old colleague, Muir. Muir is carrying different responsibilities as an offensive coordinator right now as opposed to what he did with the team in Tampa Bay.

Greg Olson

Following the dismissal of quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Greg Olson to be the new quarterbacks coach and work with former Kansas State Wildcat Josh Freeman in 2009.

However, Olson received a promotion before the regular season kicked off. After the Chiefs let go of Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator, the trend carried over to Tampa Bay where Jeff Jagodzinski was dismissed as the offensive coordinator because of his ability to call plays in a timely manner.

After he finishes his third season with Freeman, we'll see if Olson would be good enough to take a head coaching job in Kansas City and work with Matt Cassel, provided Pioli keeps him in Kansas City.

Bill Cowher

Surprised?

It seems like any Chiefs fan I talk to, they approve of having Bill Cowher becoming the head coach.

I give this a small chance of happening, but I won't say it can't happen.

Cowher only had one head coaching job in the NFL. He became the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1992 after leaving Marty Schottenheimer and the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent 15 seasons with the organization, not winning a Super Bowl until 2006.

Along with his Super Bowl ring, Cowher was awarded the AP Coach of the Year award in his first year with the Steelers. He constructed a regular-season record of 149-90-1 in 15 seasons. Cowher also had a 12-9 playoff record, giving him an overall record of 161-99-1.

Cowher was 35 years old when he joined the Steelers and left the team at 49. He will be 55 in May, as he is currently in his fifth year with CBS Sports, serving as a studio analyst.

Is Cowher comfortable with his current job? He sacrificed 15 years in Pittsburgh, and it took him 15 years to finally win a Super Bowl.

Although it took him that long to win the big game, Cowher still managed to put together a record over .500 in his first six seasons with the Steelers, making them one of the most dominant football teams in the 1990s and 2000s. Cowher worked with many players who are expected to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The question is, does Cowher have the itch to come back like Gruden?

For Cowher, it felt like a lifetime for him to go capture the Lombardi Trophy, and he left the league in style after winning a Super Bowl. Maybe remaining retired and working with CBS is right for him.

You guys be the judge.