Chiefs Hire Pioli
UPDATED (8:17 p.m.)...
Scott Pioli was named the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs today, leaving the New England Patriots after assembling three Super Bowl-winning teams as the franchise's front office chief working alongside Coach Bill Belichick.
Pioli succeeds Carl Peterson, who resigned as the Chiefs' president and general manager, and gets something that he didn't have in New England--final say over player-related decisions.
The Chiefs announced that Pioli will report directly to Chairman Clark Hunt and will have complete authority over the team's football operations. In New England, Belichick has the final say on roster decisions.
"We are very excited to welcome Scott to the Chiefs," Hunt said in a written statement released by the club. "With his proven track record of success, Scott is the finest player personnel executive in the NFL, and we look forward to his leadership in building a championship organization."
The Chiefs are to formally introduce Pioli at a news conference scheduled for Wednesday.
Pioli also interviewed for the Cleveland Browns' general manager job in recent weeks.
In Kansas City, Pioli must rebuild a team that went 2-14 this season. One of his first decisions will be whether to retain Herman Edwards as the club's coach. The prevailing sentiment around the league recently was that if Pioli took the job, he likely would fire Edwards and hire a coach of his choosing, perhaps Kirk Ferentz of Iowa.
ESPN reported that New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could be a candidate to replace Edwards.
According to ESPN, the Patriots plan to promote Nick Caserio, their director of player personnel, to replace Pioli.
Pioli, who is the son-in-law of Miami Dolphins front office chief Bill Parcells, had the title of vice president of player personnel in New England.
"Scott Pioli was an integral part of the many championships the New England Patriots have celebrated this decade and I would like to thank him for his countless contributions throughout the past nine seasons," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a written statement released by the team. "Scott is a great evaluator of talent. He is thorough in his evaluations, extremely organized and has done a tremendous job mining all possible resources to help Coach Belichick and his staff field the players needed to win consistently.
"He has played an important role in building a championship tradition with players that I am proud to call Patriots. On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, I wish Scott continued success in his new role and offer best wishes to his wonderful wife Dallas, and their beautiful daughter Mia. I think Clark Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs have made a very wise hire."
Belichick said in a written statement: "To sum up in words everything Scott Pioli has meant to this organization and to me personally would be difficult, if not impossible. From the day I met him, he has demonstrated a passion for football and respect for the game that is second to none. It has been extremely gratifying for me to follow Scott's career ascension from the bottom of the totem pole in Cleveland to his place as a pillar of championship teams in New England. Now with the opportunity to steer his own ship and a vision of building a winner, there is no more capable, hardworking, loyal, team-oriented person than Scott Pioli.
"On a personal level, the Belichick-Pioli bond runs far deeper than our workplace, as we and our families have shared countless memories away from football. Working side by side with one of my best friends for almost two decades is special enough in itself. But to help each other achieve success beyond our dreams is a blessing and something I will always remember and appreciate."
The Patriots have lost Pioli and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was hired Sunday as the head coach of the Denver Broncos, in recent days.
By
Mark Maske
|
January 13, 2009; 3:53 PM ET
| Category:
Chiefs
,
Patriots
Save & Share:
Previous: Bucs' Barber, Joseph Going to Pro Bowl |
Next: Texans Promote Bush to D-Coordinator
Posted by: gringoinmiami | January 13, 2009 6:56 PM
The Chiefs owner is doing things the right way. He is hiring the GM and letting him decide on the fate of the HC and building the front office for the future.
If Dan Snyder had done this in 2000 instead of going on a megalomaniacal trip as a fantasy GM, the Redskins with their financial resources would most likely have additional Lombardi Trophies in the case.
Instead we are stuck with a plodding, boring team that teeters between 7-9 and 9-7 seemingly forever without significant improvement.
Posted by: leopard09 | January 13, 2009 6:24 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
You said it, Leopardo. Spot on comment. Too bad we'll be stuck with Danny's yes man Vinny for some time to come.