HALEY SPEAKS. BE STILL MY HEART.

[BigRock]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1041866.html

Nutshell: they didn't announce titles for the coaches because the staff isn't complete yet, and they'll be able to be flexible with the coaches' roles depending on who else is hired. But Bill Muir is definitely the o-line coach.

He hasn't decided whether to call his own plays and hasn't decided on a defensive scheme. The latter will be decided once they evalute all the players. He thinks Dorsey is good enough to play either way.

Chiefs’ Haley still sorting out roles for assistant coaches
By ADAM TEICHER

In his first public comments since his introductory news conference two weeks ago, Haley said Wednesday he was still sorting through important issues like whether he will call the offensive plays and what defensive system the Chiefs will use.

Haley also said he planned to hire at least one additional assistant. Those decisions will then determine exactly how the staff aligns.

“There are still a few moving parts,” Haley said before leaving for Indianapolis and the NFL’s annual scouting combine. “That’s why we haven’t gotten into specifics. Right now I’m just trying to get as many good coaches as we can get. To this point, I’m happy with what I’ve been able to do. If you have good coaches, then you figure out the best fit.

“I’m not trying to be cute here. I’m trying to leave enough flexibility, and then I’ll sort it out from there.”

Haley acknowledged a temptation to call the offensive plays, something he did for most of two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. He said he was leaning toward handing those duties to his coordinator. He wouldn’t name that coach, but last season’s coordinator, Chan Gailey, remains on staff.

“I have a strong opinion on the best way to do that,” Haley said.

“When I went to Arizona, coach (Ken) Whisenhunt had enough trust in me to let me do that for him. I really think that’s the best way to handle it. But I’m still sorting through all of this, so I’ll hold off on saying for sure. I really haven’t decided one way or another.”

Another major decision facing Haley is whether to align the Chiefs in a 3-4 or a 4-3 defense. Haley hired as assistants two former NFL defensive coordinators, Gary Gibbs and Clancy Pendergast. Gibbs has a more extensive background in the 3-4 and Pendergast in the 4-3.

Haley wouldn’t say, but it’s possible Gibbs could be the coordinator and Pendergast the linebackers coach if the Chiefs use the 3-4. Those duties might reverse if Haley decides to use the 4-3.

“We just had the first staff meeting (Tuesday),” Haley said. “What I told these guys is that I want them to go through each player and then we’ll figure out what we have. We’ll do that on each side of the ball, very detailed. I want an open mind. I’m a big believer in doing what your players can do best. When we get through that process, I’ll have a stronger feeling about which way we’re going to go.

“I will say that some of the players we have here defensively from what I’ve seen offer some flexibility. (Glenn) Dorsey is a good enough athlete to have some versatility. He could play either system.”

Haley said he hired at least some of his assistants without giving them specific job responsibilities. He loaded his staff, so far numbering 11, with veterans and coaches he has worked with before.

All 11 assistants have some NFL coaching experience.

“That was something I was definitely looking for,” Haley said. “This is my first go-round. I’m not an ego guy. I just want to coach. The more guys I can get with experience and fit with what we’re trying to do and also have been around winning organizations, that will be a big help as we go forward.”

Haley has worked with five of the seven new assistant coaches. He also retained four coaches from the staff of former head coach Herm Edwards.

He indicated one of his first targets was Bill Muir, who Haley said will coach the offensive line. Muir is a 31-year NFL veteran who worked with Haley for four seasons with the New York Jets.

More recently, Muir was the offensive line coach and coordinator for Tampa Bay, though he didn’t call the offensive plays.

“I have a lot of respect for him.,” Haley said. “He’s the best I’ve been around as far as guys coaching that position. For me to get a guy like that this late in the game right out of the gate is a big thing. That’s such a key position for us.”

Haley’s next big project is to study the Chiefs players. Free agency begins a week from Friday.

“Hiring the staff has taken up a lot of time. I’ve probably watched half the season to this point. But I’ve got my computer loaded up to take to the combine. Hopefully I’ll get to the rest of it.

“There had been no contact and it was pure speculation, but there were a couple of days sitting in Arizona that I thought maybe I should throw in some tape of Kansas City, just in case. I didn’t do it because I thought it would be a disservice to my team there and my boss there, so I never did it.”