Scott Pioli, who helped build a dynasty at New England, is the new general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs announced the hire in a statement from team chairman Clark Hunt late Monday. As GM, Pioli will have complete control over all football operations and report directly to Hunt.
"We are very excited to welcome Scott to the Chiefs," Hunt said. "With his proven track record of success, Scott is the finest player personnel executive in the NFL, and we look forward to his leadership in building a championship organization."
The Chiefs will officially introduce Pioli at a news conference at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
The fate of coach Herm Edwards and his staff was not immediately known.
Pioli, who spent nine years working with head coach Bill Belichick and became vice president of player personnel for the Patriots in 2002, also interviewed for the general manager vacancy this month in Cleveland. The Patriots won three Super Bowls, four conference championships and six division titles during Pioli's nine seasons in New England.
"To sum up in words everything Scott Pioli has meant to this organization and to me personally would be difficult, if not impossible," Belichick said in a statement. "From the day I met him, he has demonstrated a passion for football and respect for the game that is second to none.
"It has been extremely gratifying for me to follow Scott's career ascension from the bottom of the totem pole in Cleveland to his place as a pillar of championship teams in New England. Now with the opportunity to steer his own ship and a vision of building a winner, there is no more capable, hardworking, loyal, team-oriented person than Scott Pioli."
The Chiefs have been conducting a search for the position since Carl Peterson resigned after 20 years as president, general manager and CEO. Pioli inherits a young team coming off a 2-14 season in 2008, but is stepping into a situation that seems ripe for a quick turnaround.
The fan base is loyal, though restive, and the team will be playing next year in a virtually new stadium. Arrowhead, which opened in 1972 and is notorious for being loud and rough on visiting teams, is undergoing a $325 million renovation, which includes new luxury boxes, wider concourses and enhanced amenities in addition to new practice facilities, an enlarged indoor field and a brand new state-of-the-art headquarters building.
In addition, the Chiefs are about $32 million under the salary cap, extra money that will come in handy because KC owns the overall No. 3 pick in the draft.
10 comments:
The Chiefs definately need some help, and I think this was a great move for them!
The Chiefs need some help is an understatement!!! I'm hoping that the next thing to happen will be the hiring of a new head coach. They are talking about bringing in the defensive coordinator from the NY Giants.
You don't think Herm Edwards is a good coach? Have you heard what will happen with Matt Cassel in the off season? Is he staying in New England? Maybe KC could pick him up since he and Pioli have worked together...
I'm thinking that Matt Cassel will be put on a leash with a franchise tag. Remember, it was my Chiefs that knocked Tom Brady out for the year in the very first game of the season. I think that New England wants some insurance in case Tom doesn't fully heal.
Looks like the KCC are in a good spot, PF!
How many games a year do you usually attend? Ever go to Royals games?
Pats are pretty upset about losing him. Definite win for the Chiefs.
Royals games are worth a ticket this year just to watch Coco Crisp play center. Damn, can he shag.
Daniel -- I haven't been to a Royals game in about three years. Baseball isn't really my sport but I do enjoy going to the stadium once in a while to watch a live game and eat a hot dog. I go to the Chiefs preseason games as tickets can be had for less than $10. A couple of years ago a friend of ours gave us tickets to see the Chiefs play the Seahawks because he knew that Kim loved the Seahawks. That's the only regular season game we've been to.
Ducky -- New England's loss should most certainly be our gain. Many teams were after Pioli and for us to have landed him is kind of like winning the GM lottery. We are very fortunate. There has been a big hype here about Coco Crisp coming and maybe I'll get to a game or two this year. From what I've heard the new scoreboard and screen alone is worth the price of admission. It's suppose to be something else. If you ever travel this way let me know and maybe we could catch a game.
Brooke -- I sure hope things will start looking up for us. It's been a rough two years. Two whole seasons and only 6 wins between the two. That leaves 26 heartbreaking losses.
Maybe when Karen and I move out there you and I will have to catch a few games...I love baseball and football. I've been to Arrowhead Stadium once when I was about 10 yrs old. They played the Houston Oilers and won. I remember going up to the very top during halftime and looking down into the parking lot. My buddies and I were spitting and counting the seconds it took for it to hit the ground...you know, typical 10 yr old stuff. LOL Great memories, though.
you ping-pong geeks slay me!
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