Callahan to Kansas City?

Last week, Kansas City Chiefs Coach Herman Edwards fired four assistants including offensive coordinator Mike Solari. The favorite rumor going around on the internet is that Bill Callahan is on the short list for the Chiefs Coordinator job. As a Husker and a Chiefs fan, I can’t imagine a scenario that gives me nightmares more than this.

 

 

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As an offensive coordinator under John Gruden at Oakland, Callahan had some offensive success. When Gruden went to Tampa Bay, Callahan took over the team that Gruden had put together. After leading them to an embarrassing Super Bowl defeat, he told ownership and management that player changes had to be made. His team revolted and ended up being his downfall. His slick packaging and style were not a good fit at Nebraska and will not be here in Kansas City. The only way that it would work is if he took a back seat in terms of press and surrounded himself with a great staff.

Earlier this year, Carl Petersen told a retiring Priest Holmes that if he wanted to come back and be a Running Backs Coach, that job would be available to him at any time. He would be the type of coach a guy like Callahan should surround himself with. A down to earth kind of guy who cares about the teammates and people around him, Holmes was the reason that RB Larry Johnson learned so much when he joined the league. Johnson was a downhill runner with a chip on his shoulder. He eventually saw Holmes’ patience and learned to wait for his blocks to develop.

For an offensive line coach, Callahan would earn brownie points by getting former Chief and Husker Will Shields to return to the Kansas City fold. A 12 time pro bowler, he started in 230 straight games for the Chiefs and was a first team All American player for the Huskers. He’s already around the KC area playing the most important role: leadership. His Will to Succeed Foundation has been very important to many metro area families.

I’m really hoping that Callahan is not seriously considered for this position. He’s not right for Kansas City. It’s very clear that someone may need him in the future, but I just don’t think the Chiefs are that team.

Update: Bill Callahan is now the Assistant Head Coach/Offense for the New York Jets. He will be focusing on the Running Game and coaching the offensive line according to many major news sources.