Reid signs on to guide Chiefs, Kelly to Browns
Andy Reid pulled up to Arrowhead Stadium in a black SUV on Friday, stepped out of it wearing a dark suit and red tie, and walked briskly toward the doors of the Kansas City Chiefs’ home.
His new home, as it turned out. Just a few hours later, Reid officially became the coach of the Chiefs.
The longtime Eagles coach signed a five-year deal, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the terms of the contract. The Chiefs have scheduled an introductory press conference for Monday.
Reid’s agreement was finalized shortly after the Chiefs announced they had parted ways with general manager Scott Pioli after four tumultuous seasons in Kansas City.
It’s expected that Reid will pursue longtime Packers personnel man John Dorsey or former Browns GM Tom Heckert — or perhaps both of them — to work with him in the front office.
Reid inherits a team that went 2-14, matching the worst record in franchise history. But he’ll also have the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, and with five players voted to the Pro Bowl this season, Kansas City has building blocks in place to make a quick turnaround.
“Overall the job is still attractive,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt told the AP earlier this week. “The franchise remains very well respected.”
Hunt promised to be thorough and efficient in finding a replacement for Romeo Crennel, who was fired Monday after his first full season.
The Chiefs interviewed Atlanta assistants Dirk Koetter and Keith Armstrong on Tuesday before flying to Philadelphia to meet with Reid. Nine hours of negotiations on Wednesday went well enough that Reid called off interviews in Arizona and San Diego.
When news broke that Pioli was out, Reid’s agreement quickly followed.
Meanwhile, Chip Kelly is close to taking his fast-paced offence to the NFL.
A person familiar with the negotiations says the Cleveland Browns are nearing an agreement with Oregon’s offensive mastermind to be their new head coach. The Browns interviewed Kelly on Friday and the Ducks coach was supposed to meet with Philadelphia in Arizona.
However, a source says the Eagles are “heading in another direction” because Kelly is nearing a deal with Cleveland.