KC Chiefs fire Herm Edwards

When Scott Pioli was hired as the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs ten days ago, he dismissed notions that Herm Edwards was as good as gone.  Pioli indicated that Edwards would be considered and allowed to make his case for keeping his job.  The speculation ended early Friday when team chairman Clark Hunt announced that Edwards had been fired:

"On behalf of my family, I want to thank Herm for his service to the Chiefs. After careful deliberation over the last week, Scott and I decided that it was in the best interests of the Chiefs to move forward in a different direction".

"This was not an easy decision. Herm is an outstanding football coach and a man of integrity. We appreciate his leadership over the past three seasons, and we wish him all the best in the future."

While there are some indications that Kansas City is close to a deal with former Denver Broncos’ coach Mike Shanahan, there are a few procedural hurdles to jump.  Contrary to speculation that the “evaluation” of Edwards was a cynical attempt to satisfy the NFL’s “Rooney Rule” that stipulates that team’s must interview at least one minority candidate, league officials indicated that wasn’t the case and should KC hire Shanahan without interviewing a minority candidate that they would be in violation.

Despite his equivocation when hired, Pioli elaborated on the eventual decision to fire Edwards:

"Since my arrival last week, Herm and I have had several conversations as part of my overall evaluation of the football operation. After careful consideration, Clark and I felt that it was best to make a change. What I conveyed last week in the press conference I still believe to be true -- Herm is a great man and a tremendous football coach. He respects the game and the league, and he is passionate about his players and his craft. “

"Over the course of this last week, I have also spent time meeting and visiting with most of the assistant coaches, and I will continue to do so over the next several days. All of the coaches from last year's staff, with the exception of one, are under contract through the 2009 season."

Edwards compiled a 15-34 record in three seasons as coach of the Chiefs, including a 2-14 record this year.