Todd Haley going back to the Cardinals?

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mikejureckiMike Jurecki

Hearing Todd Haley is on the Cardinals radar .... the plot thickens. #justsayin


Cardinals plan to speak with Haley about return

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt is expected to talk to former Chiefs coach Todd Haley about a position on the Cardinals coaching staff, according to NFL sources.

Haley, the Cardinals offensive coordinator from 2007 through 2009, was fired by the Chiefs in December when the Chiefs had a 5-8 record. Haley was 19-27 as a head coach and his Chiefs team won the AFC West title in 2010.

Haley and Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt have been friends for years, and Haley was offensive coordinator in 2008 and 2009 when the Cardinals won consecutive NFC West titles.

It’s unknown what title Haley would have should he return to the Cardinals, but he likely would be place in charge of the offense again.

The Cardinals have not been nearly as good on offense since Haley left, but his departure also coincided with the retirement of quarterback Kurt Warner. The Cardinals have had four different starting quarterbacks since Warner retired.

When Haley left, Mike Miller was promoted from receivers coach to passing game coordinator. Russ Grimm was assistant head coach/offensive line and run game coordinator. After that season, Miller was promoted to offensive coordinator, while Grimm remained assistant head coach. He continued to have a strong influence on the offensive game plan.

Whisenhunt would have to create a position for Haley, which would mean either re-organizing his existing coaching staff or adding a coach.

Haley is fiery and emotional, and several Cardinals players, including receiver Larry Fitzgerald, credit Haley with challenging them to become better players.

Haley, however, can be an acquired taste, and not everyone develops it. Haley and Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli reportedly had a contentious relationship, a factor that played into Haley’s dismissal.