The new look Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff has another member. David Culley is the team's new wide receivers coach, the Chiefs announced on Friday. Culley rejoins Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, as the two have worked together for the Philadelphia Eagles since 1999.
Serving as the Eagles wide receivers coach, Culley was a valuable contributor to the team's offensive success. He was promoted to senior offensive assistant/wide receivers in 2011, where he helped offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and the rest of the offensive staff in formulating all aspects of the offensive game plan on a weekly basis.
Culley's work with the wide receivers in Philly has been among the league's best in recent years, including the young and dynamic duo of DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Under Culley's watch, Jackson followed up a record-setting rookie campaign in 2008 with two Pro Bowl campaigns in 2009 and 2010. Meanwhile, Maclin caught more passes (189) in his first three seasons in Philly than any other player besides TE Keith Jackson (194).
One of Culley's first tasks in Kansas City includes trying to improve a receiving corps that averaged a league worst 169.6 net yards/game last season. Knowing Culley's tireless work ethic and teaching mentality, he'll settle for nothing less than exceptional.
The former Vanderbilt QB entered the NFL coaching ranks to tutor wide receivers, first with Tampa Bay (1994-95) and then with the Steelers (1996-98). It was under Culley's supervision in 1997 that Pittsburgh WR Yancey Thigpen grabbed 79 passes for a Steelers single-season record 1,398 yards and seven touchdowns, en route to Pro Bowl honors.
During that three-year span, the Steelers reached the playoffs twice, advancing to the AFC title game in 1997 and to the divisional playoffs during the previous season. In all, Culley has made six appearances in conference championship games.
The Chiefs and Kingdom fans are hoping Culley adds to his conference championship game total, ideally at Arrowhead Stadium, where the once-famous home-field advantage can return next season.
