Apparently, former Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is not interested in returning to coaching any time soon, and would actually prefer to become a TV analyst next season.
Adam Schefter (NFL.com) first speculated that this would be Edwards choice all along, and although he’ll need to find a network willing to hire him in that capacity, it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll make the jump in the near future.
The Tampa Tribune is reporting that the Buccaneers are seriously considering bringing former Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards to the team to coach their defensive secondary.
Edwards has been fairly adamant that he would not be interested in taking a defensive coordinator position and would prefer to get back to coaching corners and safeties instead. He has coached for the Bucs in the past as well, and maintains a solid relationship with the ownership in Tampa, so this is a move that makes sense for him on a number of levels.
8:35 pm: Apparently, Chris Mortensen isn’t the rumor sleuth that ESPN makes him out to be. After battling back and forth this afternoon/evening, Mort finally relented to Adam Schefter (NFL.com) with regards to Shanahan taking over in KC.
Schefter had hammered away at Mortensen’s report, saying close friends with access to Shanahan would have to be wrong for the Chiefs to be close to hiring Shanny to be their coach.
Mortensen still claims that sources inside the Chiefs organization believe Shanahan could become the team’s new head coach, but backed down from his assertion that a deal was in the works. At any rate, the Chiefs could very well be looking in completely different direction given the Pioli code of silence that now reigns supreme in KC.
As always, we’ll keep you updated…
5:20 pm: ESPN has stepped back slightly from their position that a Chiefs-Shanahan marriage is imminent. It now seems to be more rumor then news at this point.
5:15 pm: Mitch Holthus (Chiefs Radio Network) is reporting that Shanahan has said in no uncertain terms that the only GM he would coach for is newly hired Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
This certainly lends credence to what ESPN is reporting, but we seem to have an all out war between the two networks going on right now, with each side claiming their own sources. The only troubling issue is the Rooney Rule, as the Chiefs would have to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring Shanahan.
5:05 pm: The team released a statement from Edwards a short while ago. I have to say that despite my own personal differences with Herm’s coaching style in KC, he is a class act all the way around.
“First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hunt Family for the opportunity to spend nine seasons [in various capacities] with the Kansas City Chiefs. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve as the head coach of ‘Lamar’s Team’ the past three seasons. Lamar was a special, special man, who provided tremendous opportunities to so many, myself included.”
“There is not a more gracious family in all of professional sports than the Hunts. To Norma, Clark and Tavia, Lamar, Jr. and Rita, Sharron and David, and Dan, I would like to thank them for the encouragement and many kindnesses they extended to me, my wife, Lia, and our entire family over the years. The Chiefs franchise is clearly in good hands for many years to come under Clark’s leadership. I have no doubt that Clark and Scott Pioli will continue to steer the Chiefs in the right direction.”
“I would be remiss if I did not thank Carl Peterson for his support and friendship over the years. He gave me my first opportunity as a player in the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also gave me a chance to coach in the league both as an assistant and as a head coach. What a remarkably positive impact Carl made on the lives of so many.”
“There are many fine, fine people in the Kansas City Chiefs organization too numerous to mention who worked so tirelessly to help our football team. I am fortunate to call so many of them friends. I am a better man and a better coach in so many ways because of them. Hopefully, they feel the same way because of our time together.”
“Finally, to the players and coaches who worked so hard for our team, I appreciate their efforts. This is going to be a very good football team. The support of Chiefs fans across the country has been tremendous. They are truly passionate about their football team. Chiefs fans will be proud to cheer for this team for many years to come. With the tremendous nucleus of young talent on this roster, I sincerely believe that his team is poised to do great things. I respect the tough decision that was made to move in a new direction. I wish the players and the organization the very best as they move forward.”
4:55 pm: Adam Schefter (NFL.com) is disputing ESPN’s report that Mike Shanahan will be the next head coach in KC. Schefter is citing close friends with access to the situation and claims Shanahan has never spoken with the Chiefs. We’ll continue to bring you the information as it breaks…
4:45 pm: Here’s what Chiefs had to say about the firing of Edwards:
Clark Hunt, Team Owner
“On behalf of my family, I want to thank Herm for his service to the Chiefs. After careful deliberation over the last week, Scott and I decided that it was in the best interests of the Chiefs to move forward in a different direction.”
“This was not an easy decision. Herm is an outstanding football coach and a man of integrity. We appreciate his leadership over the past three seasons, and we wish him all the best in the future.”
Scott Pioli, GM
“Since my arrival last week, Herm and I have had several conversations as part of my overall evaluation of the football operation. After careful consideration, Clark and I felt that it was best to make a change. What I conveyed last week in the press conference I still believe to be true — Herm is a great man and a tremendous football coach. He respects the game and the league, and he is passionate about his players and his craft.”
“Over the course of this last week, I have also spent time meeting and visiting with most of the assistant coaches, and I will continue to do so over the next several days. All of the coaches from last year’s staff, with the exception of one, are under contract through the 2009 season.”
4:40 pm: League sources have told Chris Mortensen (ESPN) that the Chiefs are nearing a deal with former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. Again, this is hot news so we’ll be back soon with links and more info as it breaks…
4:10 pm: This is seriously hot of the presses…
As we speak ESPN is reporting that Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards has been fired from his position with the team. Sources close to the organization were cited by the network.
We’ll be sure to keep you updated as news breaks out in a few minutes…
Randy Covitz (KC Star) recently spoke with NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth about the future for the Chiefs head coaching position, and why he thinks Kansas City is taking so long to make a decision on Herm Edwards’ role with the club.
Collinsworth believes the Chiefs are targeting Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley to become their new head coach, and are simply waiting until all the ducks line up, so to speak, before making their move.
This jibes with the signals being sent out of Arrowhead, as the Chiefs have allowed their assistants to go elsewhere if they want to. They also have not sent a strong team to Mobile, AL to work the Senior Bowl, which puts the team in a precarious situation, as they currently possess the number three pick overall in the NFL draft.
Haley has become a hot commodity after his offense turned in three straight outstanding performances to lead the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl berth. He has previously worked with Chiefs GM Scott Pioli before in New York, along with Pioli’s father-in-law and current Miami Dolphins GM, Bill Parcells.
Adam Teicher (Kansas City Star) is reporting that the Chiefs have not sent a large contingent to this year’s Senior Bowl, and are currently waiting on newly hire GM Scott Pioli to make a decision on head coach Herm Edwards‘ future with the club before they began to scout in earnest.
Apparently, Edwards is not attendance, which is highly unusual for a head coach in the NFL, especially one who coaches a team with a top five draft pick. This doesn’t bode well for his chances of retaining his position with the team, as it’s looking more and more likely that Pioli is simply waiting on his preferred candidate to become free for the interview process before he makes his move.
12:30 pm: Michael Smith (ESPN) is reporting that Pioli is not dead set on firing Edwards right now. Pioli is open to all possibilities and will likely meet with Edwards soon to discuss his future with the club.
Here’s the video from ESPN:
9:55 am: Citing two unidentified coaches with the team, the Kansas City Star is reporting that newly hired Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli is expected to dismiss head coach Herm Edwards from his position today.
No decision on Edwards’ future with the team has been announced publicly, but it is widely expected that Pioli will want to bring in his own head coach to oversee the team. Edwards has one year remaining on his contract with the Chiefs.
10:45 pm: Here’s the ESPN breakdown of the Pioli hiring and what it means for Edwards’ future in Kansas City… Hint: it doesn’t look good
2:45 pm: Michael Smith (ESPN) is reporting that Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli has agreed in principle to become the next general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The sources cited by ESPN also believe that Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards is not likely to be retained and the team is currently leaning towards replacing him with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
The report was confirmed by Adam Schefter (NFL.com) a few minutes later. No details have been released by the Chiefs or the Patriots at this point.
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