It was actually a relatively busy time for the Chiefs yesterday.
First, Bill Muir officially announced his retirement as a coach in the National Football League. After 34 years in the NFL, Muir decided it was time to hang it up and told his team earlier this morning. “I’m not leaving because of anything that has gone on or is going on or will go on with the Chiefs," Muir said. "This is a personal decision. It’s very personal. I’ve been denying myself a lot of things over the years, but I’m at a point in my life where I want to do some other things."
"I love coaching. But I will be 70 years old in October. The bottom line is that there are just some other things I want to do, and I’m running out of time to do them.”
It was reported early in January by Jason La Canfora that Muir was likely to retire, but some reports had come out that contradicted that point, including an interview Muir had with Bob Gretz on his website. According to the website, the retirement was news to Muir. “I’m planning to coach, until somebody tells me differently," Muir said in the interview.
But today put an end to all that. Although Muir was not going to come back as the Offensive Coordinator for 2011, Muir planned on resuming his offensive line coach role. “I feel badly because they want me to stay," Muir said to Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star. Now with Pat Perles, the assistant offensive line coach, let go earlier in the week, the Chiefs offense is officially in a state of repair.
For quotes from Muir, Crennel and Scott Pioli regarding the decision, click here.
But Muir's retirement was the only news regarding the Chiefs offensive coordinator position. Adam Teicher, after reporting about the departure, sent out another tweet that said: "[Jim] Zorn has told people he may resign if not promoted to offensive coordinator."
Zorn is the current QB coach for the Chiefs, and he has reportedly already interviewed for the OC job. I think it would make sense for the Chiefs to make this move, and I have suggested this in the past. It would offer Matt Cassel some continuity on the offensive front, and Zorn has prior experience calling plays. I would be a fan of this hire.
What I'm not a fan of is Zorn reportedly threatening to resign if he's not made OC. Sure, the Chiefs denied the Chicago Bears permission to interview Zorn for the QB coach job which means they value Zorn as a coach, but unless Zorn was promised the OC job before last season or during last season, Zorn has no room to complain or to make threats regarding his resignation. This could all be erroneous, and end up not being true, but it makes you wonder.
But that's not all ...
According to Bob Gretz's website, Romeo Crennel has met with former Chiefs Offensive Coordinator, Al Saunders, about returning to Kansas City. Gretz's source: Dick Vermeil. “Al is there today talking with Romeo,” Vermeil said Wednesday in Indianapolis as he was making the rounds of radio row. “He wants to see if there’s any chance to go back to Oakland, but if not he’d love the Chiefs job.”
Yes, Gretz is the same guy that reported Muir wasn't retiring a week before he did, and earlier in the 2011 season reported that the Chiefs were going to unveil the corporate sponsor of Arrowhead Stadium at the Chiefs - Chargers Monday Night Football game after Clark Hunt sold the naming rights early in the year. Neither of these things, of course, happened, so regard this information with a hint of skepticism.
If the report is true, it would offer quite an interesting scenario. Saunders has already seemingly been replaced by Gregg Knapp as OC, but is still under contract with the Raiders. Unless the Raiders grant Saunders' release (and remember, they're the Raiders), then the Chiefs can't bring him in. It's also interesting because, if the Chiefs do hire Saunders, it would be his third stint with the team. He spent many seasons under Marty and even helped lead the 2003 high-flying offense under Dick Vermeil.
So who would you rather have Chiefs Nation? Jim Zorn or Al Saunders?
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