Report: Andy Reid hired as new head coach of Kansas City Chiefs, GM Scott Pioli fired

Former Eagles head coach Andy Reid during the national anthem. He will be doing so on the Kansas City Chiefs’ sidelines from now on. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

The most successful coach in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles was shown the door following a dreadful 4-12 season. His demise in the City of Brotherly Love was nearly as swift as his first achieved successes in Philly. It only took two years for Andy Reid to turn a team that went 3-13 in 1998, the year prior to his arrival, into an 11-5 squad and perennial playoff contender. Unfortunately for him and the fans of the awful team he trotted out recently, Reid only managed to compile a 12-20 record in the two seasons prior to receiving his pink slip.

However, Reid and his 130 career victories were not without a job for long. Kansas City fans are hoping Reid has some of that old, late-’90s magic left in him. He takes over a Chiefs team that finished with a 2-14 record in 2012, tied for the worst in franchise history.

“I’m definitely excited. You don’t accidentally win 100 games over 10 years in this league. Obviously, the guy knows how to coach and win. It’s definitely something we need,” Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Winston said on “SVP & Russillo” on ESPN Radio.

Reid was the Eagles’ coach from 1999-2012. In that span, he led Philadelphia to nine playoff appearances, won the aforementioned 130 games as well as 10 playoff games. In that same time frame, the Chiefs only won 98 games, reached the playoffs only three times and did not win any postseason games under five different head coaches.

Reid should be happy with more than simply a change of scenery. He is also officially going to have a big say in all personnel decisions.

Only hours before announcing the contract between Reid and the organization, the Chiefs fired embattled general manager Scott Pioli after four disappointing seasons.

“After several productive conversations, we made the difficult decision to part ways with Scott Pioli and allow him to pursue other opportunities,” Chiefs chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. “Scott has been an invaluable member of the Chiefs family since joining us in 2009, and we sincerely appreciate his tremendous contributions over the last four years.

“I know that this was a difficult decision for Scott as well. He has a great deal of appreciation for the history of this franchise, for our players, coaches and employees, and especially our great fans.”

Pioli had spent nine years helping to build the Patriots into a dynasty, and when he got to Kansas City he signed Tom Brady’s backup, Matt Cassel, to a six-year, $63 million deal. That signing blew up in his face, as Cassel was finally benched in favor of journeyman Brady Quinn this year. Pioli’s teams were 23-39 during his tenure.

“I would like to thank Norma, Clark and the Hunt family for the opportunity that they gave me four years ago,” Pioli said. “I’d also like to thank the players, coaches, scouts and countless other employees, throughout the organization and at Arrowhead Stadium that have worked so hard during my time here. I would also like to genuinely thank Chiefs fans.

“The bottom line is that I did not accomplish all of what I set out to do. To the Hunt family — to the great fans of the Kansas City Chiefs — to the players, all employees and alumni, I truly apologize for not getting the job done.”

The Chiefs have not won a playoff game since 1993. Andy Reid struggled towards the end of his tenure in Philadelphia, but, again, both fans and front office members are hoping the big man has a little gas still left in his tank.

He will have the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft at his disposal as well as five AFC Pro Bowlers, so there are building blocks in place. Exactly who Reid decides to take with that top pick will go a long way in dictating how his time goes in perennially downtrodden Kansas City.

Quotes from ESPN were used in this report

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