The Kansas City Chiefs fired former head coach Romeo Crennel 10 years ago today, which put an end to the worst era in franchise history.
The Kansas City Chiefs endured arguably the worst season in franchise history in 2012, both on and off the field. An unorganized coaching staff and poor play on the field led to the Chiefs finishing 2-14, the worst record in the NFL.
That is why the Chiefs made the decision 10 years ago today to fire former head coach Romeo Crennel. At the time, little did we know this would be the last time for a long time the Chiefs would have to fire a head coach. Crennel was the third head coach fired in five years by the franchise.
Crennel originally joined the team as a defensive coordinator in 2010, where he thrived. After firing Todd Haley late in 2011, Crennel was named the interim head coach. Six days later, he guided the Chiefs to the biggest upset that season, handing the Green Bay Packers their first loss of the season in Week 15. This eventually led to Crennel being named the head coach for 2012.
Unfortunately, the 2012 season was a disaster. In addition to tying for the fewest wins in a season in franchise history, the Chiefs scored 211 points, the fewest in a season in team history (excluding the shortened 1982 season). The Chiefs also allowed 425 points, the third most in a season in team history. This led to the worst point differential (-214) in a season in Chiefs history by a wide margin with 2008 being the next worst (-149).
The 2012 season was the end of a dark seven-year era, where the Chiefs finished 29-67. According to StatMuse, it is the second-worst record in the NFL during that timespan behind the St. Louis Rams’ 22-73-1 record. Despite making the playoffs twice during that seven-year stretch, the Chiefs were blown out in both of those games by a combined score of 53-15.
Not only did the 2012 season mark the end of a bad era in Chiefs football, but it was also the last time the Chiefs finished a season with a record below .500. The Chiefs quickly made 2012 a long-distant memory after getting off to a hot start in 2013. The Chiefs have not looked back at that bad season as they have gradually become one of the better teams in the NFL over the last 10 years.
Perhaps the struggles from 2007 to 2012 were meant to happen. If they never occurred, it is doubtful it would have led to the key changes that have made the Chiefs the franchise they are today and one of the most competitive teams in the last decade.