Kirk Ferentz To Stay At Iowa

The Kansas City Chiefs will have a new head coach next season but it won’t be Scott Pioli’s buddy Kirk Ferentz.

The Iowa coach, believed by many to be at the top of Pioli’s wishlist to replace Todd Haley, has released a statement confirming that he intends to remain at Iowa.

Statement and more after the jump.

"“To emphasize what I have said previously, I am very happy at Iowa,” Ferentz said in a prepared statement. “We have a great staff and group of student athletes, and we receive outstanding support from president Sally Mason and director of athletics Gary Barta. I fully intend to be at Iowa next year and well beyond 2012.”"

Firentz dropping out really narrows the list of obvious candidates. The big three in this discussion have been Crennel, Ferentz and Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Pioli may want McDaniels but he may have a difficult time selling the former Broncos

destroyer

head coach to the Kansas City fan base. Should Crennel continue to do a good job down the stretch, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him land the job. This would enable Pioli to bring McDaniels in as offensive coordinator, which would be an easier sell to Chiefs fans. Should the offense and team do well under Crennel/McDaniels, Pioli may have a much easier time promoting McDaniels if/when Crennel retires.