Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports called the tension between former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley and general manager Scott Pioli the worst kept secret in the NFL. Some Chiefs fans blame Pioli for that, but it takes two and Haley was always known as a passionate coach. Peter King of Sports Illustrated says that Haley is going to have to learn to play nice if he’s going to last long in his new post as offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
King writes, "I think the phrase “plays well with others,‘’ will be important for former Chiefs head coach Todd Haley to remember if he hopes to have success as the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. He left behind some poor relationships in Kansas City — and not just with GM Scott Pioli. Haley has to bond with Roethlisberger and help the QB produce at a consistent playoff level, while keeping three talented receivers content. It’ll be an interesting chemistry experiment.”
Roethlisberger has already come out questioning the moves of the Steelers this offseason. Not that the quarterback has been unfairly negative, but he has cast a shadow of doubt over the loss of Bruce Arians to the Colts. Now that the Steelers have to develop to new offensive schemes and terminology, Roethlisberger has not been pleased.
Still Haley brings a keen offensive mind and a love of Pittsburgh to the job, so he’s likely to work out well in the end. He has some great pieces to work with and every reason to live up to expectations.