Rumor: Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub Could Be Leaving The Chiefs
By Brett Gering
Dave Toub might be the most overlooked name in the Kansas City Chiefs organization. From the top down, no person does so much but receives so little credit. Per CSN Chicago’s David Kaplan, that could be changing. Quickly.
It’s no secret that Chris Ballard’s name has been linked with the Chicago Bears’ GM vacancy. However, one of Kaplan’s sources claimed that if John Dorsey’s right-hand man leaves Kansas City, he might be taking Toub with him.
Tonight same source said: "Chris Ballard probably gets that job & he is phenomenal. If he gets it I think he brings Dave Toub as head coach"
— David Kaplan (@thekapman) January 3, 2015
In this day and age, special teams coordinators rarely climb to the top of the coaching tree. There are exceptions, such as Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (whom Toub worked with in Philadelphia), but for the most part, it’s an anomaly.
That being said, if there’s a candidate who can buck the trend, it’s Toub—a man who has paved a path to stardom for countless players.
He maximized the talent of Devin Hester, who’s now the league’s record holder for total return touchdowns (19).
Throughout 2012, a year before Toub’s arrival, the Chiefs allowed two return touchdowns and recorded none themselves. In his first season with the franchise, Kansas City allowed zero return touchdowns, while the Chiefs registered four.
Oct 26, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Knile Davis (34) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the St. Louis Rams at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The team’s punt return average jumped from 8.7 to 11.8, and the kickoff return average skyrocketed from 21.6 to 29.9, breaking the NFL record in the process.
This season, three Chiefs (Josh Martin, Kelcie McCray and Kurt Coleman) topped Pro Football Focus’ rankings of special teamers, while Daniel Sorensen tied for fourth. Meanwhile, De’Anthony Thomas (No. 4) and Knile Davis (No. 10) finished as top-10 returners.
As a unit, Kansas City’s special teams graded out No. 2 overall (weighted) on Football Outsiders—the kicking game being the primary drawback.
Special teams are the third wheel of football. Technically, they’re present. Mainly, they’re ignored.
Toub is universally respected in Kansas City, but like every other special teams guru, he doesn’t draw a lot of headlines. If the aforementioned whispers meet reality, though, that won’t be the case for long.