Grading the NFL's New Head Coaching Hires

What the Kansas City Chiefs needed most in a new head coach was someone who had experience with turning around a losing team and the Chiefs did that in hiring Andy Reid.

When Reid became the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999, he inherited a team that had gone 9-22-1 in the previous two regular seasons. In just his second season as head coach Reid and the Eagles finished 11-5 and beat Tampa Bay in the wild-card round of the playoffs. In his 14 seasons with Philadelphia, Reid guided the Eagles to eight or more wins in 11 seasons, nine playoff appearances, and one Super Bowl appearance.

Part of the reason for Reid’s early success in Philadelphia was inheriting a decent defense and the drafting of quarterback Donovan McNabb. Kansas City has a decent pass defense and has a good foundation that Reid can build up.

However, as most fans know Kansas City does not have a good quarterback. Do not be surprised if similar to his first draft in Philadelphia, the first pick used by Reid’s new team buys the team a new quarterback.

If Reid can draft the right quarterback, get running back Jamaal Charles to be more consistent, and hires the right staff to teach the defense, he will find success in Kansas City.