Justin Houston praises Kansas City Chiefs new linebacking coach system
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs are employing a new coaching scheme with their linebackers and Justin Houston says it’s a good move for the team.
Justin Houston approves, in case Andy Reid was wondering what the players thought.
The Kansas City Chiefs decided to divide up linebackers for the first time ever in terms of coaching assignments this offseason, and as players are adjusting during offseason training activities, the buzz is good concerning the changes.
Back in January, the Chiefs appointed Mike Smith to be outside linebackers coach and promoted Mark DeLeone from assistant linebackers coach to inside linebackers coach. It is the first time that the franchise has divided the position, but it makes sense given how the demands and roles differ so much. Look at what is demanded of someone like Reggie Ragland versus Dee Ford, and you realize that having some specialization might help—and every little bit counts in the NFL.
Houston recently spoke with reporters during the team’s OTAs and said that he’s not only feeling in great health, but that he’s also glad to be working with the team’s new coaching system.
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Smith has been with the Chiefs since 2016 as a defensive assistant working with the defensive line. Before that, however, he was also an outside linebackers coach with the New York Jets for three seasons, so he comes with plenty of experience in that very role.
DeLeone has been with the Chiefs for several years now, beginning as a defensive quality control assistant when Andy Reid first arrived and moving up to assisting with linebackers last year. Now he’s in his first positional coaching role as he’s climbed the ranks and earned more trust. DeLeone also coached with the Jets before coming over to Kansas City.