The Kansas City Chiefs recently lost longtime secondary coach Emmitt Thomas to retirement, and it appears that they are actively pursuing his replacement.
First reported by The Athletic KC’s own Nate Taylor, former NFL cornerback Sam Madison is the leading candidate to join Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s staff as a secondary coach.
Madison played under Spagnuolo for the Giants in 2007, the same year they won the Super Bowl. He enjoyed a decent pro career having retired in 2008 with 38 interceptions and 81 defended passes.
Madison would work with new defensive backs coach David Merritt, who recently came over from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
On this snowy day, according to multiple sources, Sam Madison is a leading candidate to join Steve Spagnuolo’s staff as an assistant in the secondary. Madison was a cornerback under Spagnuolo when the Giants won the 2007 Super Bowl. He could replace Emmitt Thomas.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) February 15, 2019
Working as an analyst for the Miami Dolphins, he has been living in Florida and would likely have to adjust to the brittle Kansas City weather if he is hired as the secondary coach, but it would be a worthwhile investment. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro had a lengthy career and enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career under Spagnuolo in that 2007 season. With 4 interceptions and 14 passes defended, the former second-round pick seemed to work well under Spagnuolo’s system.
Working as a coach could prove to be beneficial for all parties, as the Chiefs would be getting a cornerback who, in his prime, was excellent in coverage. Those coverage skills could translate nicely when taught to the young and eager secondary unit of the Chiefs. Madison would be able to help apply the principles as a former player.