The more time that goes by following the firing of former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, the more we seem to be learning about what some of the players and coaches thought of him.
Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Bill Muir has some interesting things to say when talking about KC’s sudden offensive boom under QB Kyle Orton. While talking with the Kansas City Star, it was suggested to Muir that the plays were relayed to Kyle Orton in a more efficient manner with Haley out of the picture.
“If you thought it appeared that,” Muir said, “then it probably was. Romeo delegates authority and expects the people who are given authority to do their job.”
More from Muir on Crennel after the jump.
The above statement is pretty damning of Haley. Muir seems to indicate that what many predicted early in the season was true: that Todd Haley was interfering with the play calling to the detriment of the offense.
Muir also vehemently endorsed Crennel to take over the job of head coach.
“Romeo is an excellent choice at this particular time,” Muir said. “He’s good for this football team. The Kansas City Chiefs would do well to hire Romeo Crennel.
“He’s the man for the job here. The defense has started to turn the corner. I think it would be a shame to change that. Romeo’s demeanor as a head football coach relates very well to the players. He has a sternness about him without being a dictatorial type of man. He will do a good job.”
I have to agree with Muir on this one. Keeping Crennel in the top job is probably what is best for the Chiefs. The defense really is becoming something special and bringing in a new head coach would likely mean Crennel would be stepping out of the picture. The offense will likely have to undergo a bit of a change anyway so now is as good a time as any to make some moves there. Crennel will enable the team to keep some continuity.
The fact of the matter is that there are big differences between this team and the team Crennel coached in Cleveland. Those teams, drafted by then GM Phil Savage, did not have a ton of talent. The drafts were not very successful and many of the players who were on those teams, like the great Herm Edwards teams of old, are no longer playing in the league.
To put it another way, I think Crennel is the type of coach who will stay out of his team’s way. If he has a talented roster full of mostly solid locker room guys (and we know how much Pioli loves locker room guys) that will police their own, I think he can be a successful coach. He stayed out of Muir’s and Zorn’s way last week and look what happened.
If Crennel can get this team to win out, he’ll almost certainly be hired immediately.
What do you guys think about what Muir had to say? Classless move in the wake of Haley’s departure or just a grouchy old man telling it how it is?