Chiefs Gretz: RIP Darvin Wallis

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-28-2009, 05:34 PM

RIP Darvin Wallis
October 28, 2009 - Bob Gretz |

Darvin Wallis was unknown to most Chiefs fans during his 19 years working for the team. But believe me when I tell you he was one of the most remarkable men to ever pass through the doors of Arrowhead Stadium.

Wallis passed away over the weekend in a family cabin in Colorado. Details are sketchy at this point but he apparently died in his sleep. He was 60 years old.

Back in the most recent days when the Chiefs actually played good, sometimes great defense, Wallis was a big part of that. In his role as defensive quality control coach, Wallis worked with every defensive coordinator and head coach that passed through Arrowhead Stadium from 1989 through 2007.

He came to Kansas City with Marty Schottenheimer in 1989 and stayed through Gunther Cunningham, Dick Vermeil and Herm Edwards before retiring after the 2007 season.

“He was the best, just the best when it came to analyzing the opponent and the trends in their play calling,” said Schottenheimer. “I think anybody that worked with him would tell you he was the best. He was meticulous.”

There was a certain element of the absent minded professor with Wallis. More often than not, when he was seen around Arrowhead, Darvin’s hair wasn’t combed and his clothes were rumpled. That was due to many, many, many nights sleeping on a coach in his office at the Stadium. Wallis threw himself into his work and it was his genius. He was detailed, he was thorough and he was always willing to dissect another tape.

“He left no stone unturned,” said Schottenheimer. “He was constantly looking at the next film, the next printout.”

Yet somehow, he found time to be a husband to Vicky and a father to three sons. On top of all that, in 1999 he earned a doctorate in sports administration with dissertation honors from the University of Kansas. Darvin’s goal was always to get back to the classroom and teaching.

“I always thought skillful coaching was good teaching,” Wallis said several years ago. “Both include knowledge, goals, organization, passion, technology, relationships and many other commonalities.”

Wallis was a true coach, who began his career on the high school level in Arizona, moved up to small colleges with his alma mater Adams State, then major colleges like Tulane and Mississippi. He joined the coaching staff of Sam Rutigliano with the Cleveland Browns in 1982. The Indiana native moved on to the Chiefs with Schottenheimer in 1989. He retired after the 2007 season.

“He’s one of the most selfless coaches I’ve ever been associated with,” said Herm Edwards on the announcement of his retirement. “If you’ve been a member of the Kansas City coaching staff at any point over the past 20 years, you know how valuable his contribution was to our team for many, many years.”

His 19-year tenure with the Chiefs is stopped in franchise history only by Tom Pratt, who was part of the coaching staff for 21 years.

Wallis will be buried later this week in Colorado and a memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, November 7 at the Overland Park Baptist Temple at 116th Street and Antioch. The service begins at 2 p.m.

**chefsos** · 10-28-2009, 05:38 PM

Well, he was certainly unknown to me.

Nonetheless, RIP, and best wishes to his family.

**Rain Man** · 10-28-2009, 05:44 PM

RIP Darvin. It seems as if I hardly knew you.

(Is it too early to inquire about the cabin?)

milkman · 10-28-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

That was due to many, many, many nights sleeping on a coach in his office at the Stadium.

I wonder which coach that was?

**Rain Man** · 10-28-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

I wonder which coach that was?

You have to think that Art Shell would be pretty comfortable. But I'm guessing it was Greg Robinson.

**gblowfish** · 10-28-2009, 07:10 PM

I knew this guy. He was one of my customers when I worked at an AV company in Independence. Probably was six or seven years ago. He used to bring in films of his kids playing football to put together highlight reels for applying for college scholarships. He was a very nice man, and the description by Gretz is spot on.
Very sad to hear this, he was a low profile guy, but worked very closely with Marty and Gun. Best wishes for his family. If you've got to go, that's not a bad way to go out.

DaWolf · 10-28-2009, 07:19 PM

RIP. Always saw his name in the media guide. Seemed like a good coach and a good man...

JohninGpt · 10-28-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

You have to think that Art Shell would be pretty comfortable. But I'm guessing it was Greg Robinson.

You know it wasn't Marty, GH's wife wiggled too much.

DomerNKC · 10-28-2009, 07:44 PM

I work with his son.

JohninGpt · 10-28-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohninGpt

You know it wasn't Marty, GH's wife wiggled too much.

BTW RIP, you've got to think, this man did his job much better than whoever bears the same title today.

Ebolapox · 10-28-2009, 09:17 PM

RIP, mr. Wallis. we hardly knew ye.

**Gadzooks** · 10-28-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

I hate watching the Donkey's win too, but leaping to your death is taking it a bit far...

...too soon?

That's dreadful.

10-28-2009, 05:34 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $912813	Gretz: RIP Darvin Wallis RIP Darvin Wallis October 28, 2009 - Bob Gretz \| Darvin Wallis was unknown to most Chiefs fans during his 19 years working for the team. But believe me when I tell you he was one of the most remarkable men to ever pass through the doors of Arrowhead Stadium. Wallis passed away over the weekend in a family cabin in Colorado. Details are sketchy at this point but he apparently died in his sleep. He was 60 years old. Back in the most recent days when the Chiefs actually played good, sometimes great defense, Wallis was a big part of that. In his role as defensive quality control coach, Wallis worked with every defensive coordinator and head coach that passed through Arrowhead Stadium from 1989 through 2007. He came to Kansas City with Marty Schottenheimer in 1989 and stayed through Gunther Cunningham, Dick Vermeil and Herm Edwards before retiring after the 2007 season. “He was the best, just the best when it came to analyzing the opponent and the trends in their play calling,” said Schottenheimer. “I think anybody that worked with him would tell you he was the best. He was meticulous.” There was a certain element of the absent minded professor with Wallis. More often than not, when he was seen around Arrowhead, Darvin’s hair wasn’t combed and his clothes were rumpled. That was due to many, many, many nights sleeping on a coach in his office at the Stadium. Wallis threw himself into his work and it was his genius. He was detailed, he was thorough and he was always willing to dissect another tape. “He left no stone unturned,” said Schottenheimer. “He was constantly looking at the next film, the next printout.” Yet somehow, he found time to be a husband to Vicky and a father to three sons. On top of all that, in 1999 he earned a doctorate in sports administration with dissertation honors from the University of Kansas. Darvin’s goal was always to get back to the classroom and teaching. “I always thought skillful coaching was good teaching,” Wallis said several years ago. “Both include knowledge, goals, organization, passion, technology, relationships and many other commonalities.” Wallis was a true coach, who began his career on the high school level in Arizona, moved up to small colleges with his alma mater Adams State, then major colleges like Tulane and Mississippi. He joined the coaching staff of Sam Rutigliano with the Cleveland Browns in 1982. The Indiana native moved on to the Chiefs with Schottenheimer in 1989. He retired after the 2007 season. “He’s one of the most selfless coaches I’ve ever been associated with,” said Herm Edwards on the announcement of his retirement. “If you’ve been a member of the Kansas City coaching staff at any point over the past 20 years, you know how valuable his contribution was to our team for many, many years.” His 19-year tenure with the Chiefs is stopped in franchise history only by Tom Pratt, who was part of the coaching staff for 21 years. Wallis will be buried later this week in Colorado and a memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday, November 7 at the Overland Park Baptist Temple at 116th Street and Antioch. The service begins at 2 p.m.
Posts: 42,080

10-28-2009, 05:38 PM	#2
chefsos Fifty eight sixty two... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Felton, DE Casino cash: $8497676	Well, he was certainly unknown to me. Nonetheless, RIP, and best wishes to his family.
Posts: 9,449

10-28-2009, 05:44 PM	#3
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3318491 VARSITY	RIP Darvin. It seems as if I hardly knew you. (Is it too early to inquire about the cabin?) __________________ I'm putting random letters here as a celebration of free speech: xigrakgrah misorojeq rkemeseit.
Posts: 141,427

10-28-2009, 07:10 PM	#6
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17676178 VARSITY	I knew this guy. He was one of my customers when I worked at an AV company in Independence. Probably was six or seven years ago. He used to bring in films of his kids playing football to put together highlight reels for applying for college scholarships. He was a very nice man, and the description by Gretz is spot on. Very sad to hear this, he was a low profile guy, but worked very closely with Marty and Gun. Best wishes for his family. If you've got to go, that's not a bad way to go out.
Posts: 40,832

10-28-2009, 07:19 PM	#7
DaWolf Cry havoc... Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $10007725	RIP. Always saw his name in the media guide. Seemed like a good coach and a good man...
Posts: 6,798

10-28-2009, 07:44 PM	#9
DomerNKC In Search of a Life Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka Casino cash: $9995110	I work with his son. __________________ Behold the bitten apple, the power of the tools, but all the knowledge in the world is of no use to fools.
Posts: 22,070

10-28-2009, 09:17 PM	#11
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $2089903	RIP, mr. Wallis. we hardly knew ye.
Posts: 26,428