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Another Teicher:
Saunders waiting on his prospects
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Al Saunders put a final flourish on his head-coaching resume Sunday. The Chiefs’ offensive coordinator designed a game plan that resulted in four touchdowns and a season-high 537 yards in a 37-3 rout of Cincinnati at Arrowhead Stadium.
Now the waiting game begins as Saunders attempts to get a head-coaching job. He will talk to the Chiefs about replacing Dick Vermeil and probably will have one or more interviews in the coming weeks.
The Lions, who fired Steve Mariucci several weeks ago, could come calling. As many as eight other teams could be looking for new head coaches as soon as today.
Saunders wouldn’t answer questions about his future Sunday. But after the Chiefs finished a fourth straight season among the league leaders in scoring and yardage, his prospects of becoming a head coach have never been better.
“Without any question, he’ll get some interviews,” Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson said. “He deserves it.”
Vermeil campaigned one final time after Sunday’s game for Saunders to be his successor.
“A number of people who have been given opportunities are not nearly as qualified,” Vermeil said. “He’s paid his dues. He’s done a remarkable job here.”
Quarterback Trent Green joined Vermeil in stumping for Saunders.
“I’ve said all along that I have a great relationship with Al and I enjoy this offense,” Green said. “It’s an offense I’ve been in my entire career with different coordinators in different phases of my career.
“Al would make a great head coach. But that’s not my job. Carl is going to make a great decision either way. I have expressed to him there are a lot of guys who have been in this offense a long time, myself included, and I don’t know if we necessarily want a change in philosophy.
“I think we’re built really well for the type of offense we run. I’d like to see Al given the opportunity, but my job is as a player, and whoever they bring in, I’m going to support.”
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