The (former) Eagle has landed, in Kansas City. Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt was alongside Andy Reid as they both signed on the dotted line, making it official that Reid is the team's new head coach, its 13th in franchise history.
Just days after being dismissed by the Philadelphia Eagles, Reid, who coached the team 14 seasons and led it to six division titles, nine playoff appearances, one NFC Championship and one Super Bowl appearance (2004), met with Clark Hunt and Chiefs president Mark Donovan, among others, for nine hours on Wednesday and agreed to a deal two days later.
Inheriting a team that previously struggled is nothing new to Andy Reid. When he began his 14-year tenure, the NFL's longest-active streak until his release this week, in 1999, the Eagles were 3-13 the season before, good enough for a three-way tie for the league's worst record. Reid led the team to a two-game improvement in his rookie season under the headset. The Eagles reached the playoffs the following season, after earning an 11-5 regular-season record.
Reid's successful coaching campaign in the City of Brotherly Love was just getting started. In 2001, the Eagles won their first of four-consecutive NFC East titles, the longest streak in franchise history, advancing to the conference title game in each of those years. Despite losses in his first three NFC Championship Games, the now 54-year-old head coach led the Eagles on an incredible journey in 2004.
Philadelphia's 13-3 record in '04 was exemplified by six wins earned against its NFC East division rivals, topping the Giants, Cowboys and Redskins twice each, en route to Super Bowl XXXIX, before falling to the New England Patriots, 24-21.
Imagine Kingdom fans, defeating the Broncos, Chargers and Raiders each twice in the same season on the way to an AFC title game at Arrowhead. Perhaps it's too much to ask, but you know a coach like Andy Reid has a goal to get it done.
The 2002 AP Coach of the Year, Reid boasts a career record of 130-93-1 (.583) in the regular season. He also owns a 10-9 postseason record, ranking 22nd in NFL history in regular season and postseason victories.
It's safe to say that the former offensive line coach at the University of Missouri (1989-91), Reid will be warmly embraced by a state craving his leadership, success and winning demeanor.
Hold on tight Chiefs fans, things are starting to get real interesting at One Arrowhead Drive and we're not even a full week into the offseason, which is sure to be nothing less than extraordinary.
