I was born and raised in Kansas City. It’s a wonderful town, great place to visit, great place to live. Growing up I liked football. As a teenager I fell in love with the NFL and desperately wanted to be able to root for my home team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
I was too young to remember the Super Bowl win, the only Chiefs I had ever known were a laughingstock bunch in the NFL. I’m still scarred over my first trip to an NFL game. November 7, 1976 versus the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Coldest I’ve ever been, final score, Steelers 45, Chiefs 0.
Then the clouds parted. 1989, Carl Peterson came to town and he hired Marty Schottenheimer (I still can’t believe he hasn’t won a Super Bowl). Derrick Thomas was drafted and the Chiefs became relavant. And stayed that way until the dark clouds rolled in with Dick Vermeil’s resignation at the end of the 2005 season. Enter, Herm Edwards.
This is the same guy who took a playoff Jets team and crash landed them. Finishing up with a 4-12 clunker in 2005. We not only hand him keys to the empire, but draft picks to the Jets. I’m on record (my son can back me up) as saying the Chiefs were in for a mamoth collapse and I think 9-7, 4-12, 2-14 qualifies.
But, at last the clouds part again. Scott Pioli is the new GM. It remains to be seen who he will hire as the new Chiefs head coach. Mike Shanahan’s name has come up, Todd Haley (Arizona OC) has been mentioned. Shanahan is a guy you love to hate, you hate him on the other sideline, love him on yours. I would welcome him, or Haley. Please, no one from college, no one we’ve never heard of before. Please, no Chan Gailey, let’s move forward now. My favorite would be Bill Cowher, not sure if he would want to only coach, or if he wants full control?
So, here’s my list in order of preference;
1) Bill Cowher
2) Mike Shanahan
3) Todd Haley
4) John Gruden
We’ll see who the Chiefs hire, but at least they’re going the right direction again.
