Chiefs hire Todd Haley as coach

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Todd Haley was hired as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday after helping the Arizona Cardinals reach the Super Bowl as coordinator of one of the NFL's most exciting offenses.

The decision was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the hiring. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement was pending.

Haley joins a team that went a franchise-worst 2-14 under coach Herm Edwards, who was fired Jan. 23. Edwards lost all but two of his last 25 games and launched a rebuilding project that made the Chiefs the league's youngest team this season.

The Chiefs haven't won a postseason game since an aging Joe Montana was their quarterback in the 1993 season.

Haley, who turns 42 this month, helped shape an offense that carried the Cardinals to an improbable NFC West title and nearly a Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh.

He did not start calling plays until late in the 2007 season. But this season an Arizona offense led by quarterback Kurt Warner set a franchise record with 427 points, finished third in scoring in the NFL and was second in yards passing.

Leading to the Super Bowl, Haley repeatedly was questioned about Kansas City and when he was expected to join new general manager Scott Pioli at Arrowhead Stadium. Haley and Pioli worked together at the New York Jets, where Haley's father, Dick, was personnel director. It isn't known what other candidates Pioli interviewed.

The hiring completes Clark Hunt's overhaul of the top management rungs of the team he inherited from his father in December 2006. Hunt owns the Chiefs with his sister and two brothers and has ultimate authority as chairman of the board. He accepted Carl Peterson's resignation in December after 20 years as president, chief executive officer and general manager.

In January, Hunt hired Pioli from the New England Patriots' front office and gave him authority over all football matters.

Haley and Pioli are taking command of a team with issues at just about every position, particularly on defense. Still, conditions seem favorable for the sort of quick turnaround that Pioli's father-in-law, Bill Parcells, engineered in Miami.

Edwards, who was dismissed in Pioli's first major move, gave several promising rookies a valuable year of experience in 2008. Left tackle Branden Albert and cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers could solidify those key positions for many years.