Rams Hire Spagnuolo, What's Next For KC?

Posted: January 18, 2009

The St. Louis Rams are announcing today that they have hired Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as their new head coach. Spagnuolo was rumored to be a candidate for the Chiefs head coaching position should Herm Edwards be fired. After former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels landed in Denver last week, Spagnuolo becomes the second prospective Chiefs head coaching candidate to accept a position with another team.

We have been speculating of Herm's departure for a few weeks now, but it has yet to happen. For those hoping Herm gets the axe, do not be too concerned yet. New GM Scott Pioli said in his first press conference with the team that the process would be very "methodical" and that he would talk to Herm in length before making any sort of decision.

Unfortunately, this methodical pace has cost the Chiefs two of the most coveted head coach prospects of 2009 in McDaniels and Spagnuolo. But in his first press conference with the team, Pioli didn't seem too concerned with the NFL's coaching carousel.

From Pioli's nonchalant approach to the situation, we can infer one of three things -- A) Pioli is leaning towards retaining Herm, B) Pioli's guy is someone that has received little or no attention from other teams looking for a new head coach, or C) Pioli really has no idea what he is going to do and is unconcerned with what is going on around the league until he makes up his mind.

We would tend to lean towards scenarios B or C. The New England Patriots are one of the best teams in football year-in and year-out, because they get the people they want to get and don't worry about the rest of the teams in the NFL. And to KC comes Scott Pioli and the renowned "Patriot Way".

Lets consider scenario B for a second -- Pioli's guy is someone that isn't getting much attention from the rest of the league. This is entirely possible. Three of the candidates we outlined yesterday have not gotten much attention for the head coaching vacancies around the league -- Mike Shanahan, Paul Pasqualoni, and Kirk Ferentz. Out of those choices, we viewed Shanahan as the most likely to join the Chiefs.

We would certainly welcome Shanny as the next Chiefs head coach, but the idea of seeing Shanny in the red and gold still seems a little weird.

There is also speculation that Bill Cowher may be a Chiefs head coaching candidate in 2010, after Herm's contract has expired. Again, we really don't see it happening. Pioli brings his own connections from New England, and we think most of the Cowher talk is still lingering from the Carl Peterson era.

Hopefully we will hear word of Herm's status within the next week or so, and more will certainly be known by then. At this point though, Shanahan is still our most likely candidate, with Dolphins defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni close behind, and University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz bringing up the rear.

For now, Herm is still in his office at One Arrowhead Drive and getting ready for another season of Chiefs football. This is a developing story so stay tuned!

Nick Britt is a writer by hobby, not profession. He is a lifelong Chiefs fan and loves to play armchair GM. You can contact him at nick@kcredzone.com.