After leading the Chiefs to a 5-8 record, the Kansas City Chiefs executives decided it was best for their team to part ways with head coach Todd Haley, promoting Romeo Crennel, the defensive coordinator, to head coach for the last three games of the season. Crennel led the Chiefs to two wins in their last three games including a win over the then undefeated Green Bay Packers.
Now that the season is over, Crennel is waiting on word from general manager Scott Pioli on whether or not his title of head coach will become permanent. He will have an formal interview with the team in the near future. One thing that could help his resume is the overwhelming player support he's seen in the last few weeks. Crennel appreciates their support but also knows they aren't the ones making the final decision.
"I appreciate their support, but I don’t think they sign my paycheck," Crennel said of the player backing. "If they were signing my paycheck, I would really appreciate it and really enjoy it. The decision hasn’t been made yet and it will be made in the future."
Until Crennel finds out what the future has in store for him, he's proceeding into the offseason as he normally would. He remains hopeful that he'll keep the job because he knows what it's like to be let go by a team. He understands it's all a part of the business of football, though.
"It’s a tough time because moves are made, lives are impacted and I’ve been in that situation myself and it’s not fun," Crennel said. "It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of this business, so those teams, they do what they feel like that they need to do."