The Kansas City Chiefs firedTodd Haley after a 5-8 start, the team announced Monday.
"This was a difficult decision but one that we feel is best for the future of the Chiefs," Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a team-issued release. "Although there have been bright spots at different points this season, we have not made meaningful progress and we felt that it was necessary to make a change. We appreciate Todd's contributions during his time with the club, and we wish him well in the future."
Hunt and GM Scott Pioli reportedly discussed firing Haley as early in the season as Oct. 8, the day before the Chiefs rallied from a two-score deficit to beat the Colts in Indianapolis. That was after a rally to win a week earlier, Oct. 2, at home against the Vikings and came on the heels of the team's disappointing 0-3 start.
The Chiefs were19-27 during Haley's tenure, but won the AFC West last season in what appeared to be a turning point season. Injuries to key young players, including safety Eric Berry and tight end Tony Moeaki, put the team in a bit of a hole early in the year. But the list grew quickly, claiming running back Jamaal Charles, who went down with a torn ACL against the Vikings, and quarterback Matt Cassel.
Haley, considered highly competitive to the point of being abrasive, is an offensive coordinator by trade. But he wasn't able to bring the same sizzle to the Chiefs offense that he had to the Arizona Cardinals or Dallas Cowboys.
Including Sunday's 37-10 loss to the Jets, the Chiefs have 10 points or fewer in six straight games, all losses with the exception of a 10-3 win Dec. 4 at Chicago. The Chiefs scored a touchdown on a Hail Mary pass tipped into the hands of Dexter McCluster at the end of the second quarter to account for their only touchdown in that game.
"Todd helped this team in many valuable ways over the past three seasons, and I am thankful for his contributions," Pioli said. "Unfortunately, we have not been able to establish the kind of consistency we need to continue to build a strong foundation for the future and we believe a change is important at this time."
The Chiefs planned to hold a press conference Monday afternoon to discuss their plan going forward. Kansas City's final three games are all against playoff contenders, including 13-0 Green Bay. The Packers visit Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday followed by the Raiders on Christmas Eve. The Chiefs travel to Denver Jan. 1 for the season finale.
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