Search stories

Welcome to KCondemand.com and Eat This.

It's always been one of the golden rules in coaching: surround yourself with as many good people as possible then delegate, let them do their jobs.

That's why Todd Haley committed his first major sin as head coach of the Chiefs on Monday. He fired an offensive coordinator who's resume' he'll never be able to match.

Remember, Chan Gailey took the Cowboys to the playoffs his first two years in Dallas. Those were also his last two years. Jerry Jones replaced him as head coach with the "legendary" Dave Campo who was fired after three seasons and only 15 wins.

Haley's dead wrong when he said this gives the Chiefs the best chance to win. Less than two weeks before the season opener, it's a major setback in continuity. There is none.

And it was also backward thinking to announce, months ago, that Gailey would "start out" the season calling the plays. The Cardinals did the exact opposite when Haley was coordinator in Arizona working with a first time head coach. Right or wrong, Ken Whisenhunt waited till deep in his 2nd year before giving Haley the power to run the offense.

It would've made sense for Haley to initially call plays here and see if Gailey got on the same page. See if he could read Haley's mind like an old married couple that finishes each other's sentences.

It's also disingenuous of Haley to say none of this is about ego. What 42 year old who's never been a head coach before (not even in high school) thinks he can be a first time NFL head coach, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, all at the same time?

Oh yea, and do all that with a franchise that's won six games in two years.

Haley and Scott Pioli still get some slack because of those six wins. But it doesn't buy 'em too much time in a world where NFL fate can change fairly quickly.

Instead of assigning blame to the past regime, the Pioli-Haley machine needs to take ownership of "all things Chiefs" going forward, expect and accept all of the credit and blame, assuming they're fortunate enough to experience both.

Respond at Dave.Stewart@twcable.com and Eat This.