NFL Notebook: Chiefs introduce Reid as head coach
BY Associated Press
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
1/08/13 at 3:47 AM
The first call that Andy Reid received came from Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt.
Reid had just been dismissed after coaching the Eagles for 14 seasons, and was back at his office after addressing his team one last time. The phone rang and Hunt was on the other end, asking whether Reid would be interested in a face-to-face meeting two days later.
"There are certain families that stand out, and the Hunt family is just tops," Reid said of the family that founded the franchise 53 years ago. "They're phenomenal."
The meeting was set for Wednesday in Philadelphia, and Reid's agent Bob LaMonte figured it would take about three hours. But when Reid got in front of Hunt, the two hit it off so well that time kept slipping away - four hours, then six, then eight hours of conversations.
After nine hours, it became clear that Reid would be the Chiefs' next coach.
He was introduced on Monday at a packed news conference at Arrowhead Stadium, taking over a once-proud franchise that went 2-14 last season and hasn't won a playoff game since 1993.
Reid agreed to a five-year deal, a person with knowledge of the contract told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not disclosed.
He takes over for Romeo Crennel, who was fired last Monday after his first full season.
Eagles get permission to interview Jay Gruden: The Philadelphia Eagles have received permission to interview Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden for their coaching vacancy.
Gruden, the younger brother of Jon Gruden, just finished his second season with the Bengals. He previously served as an offensive assistant on his brother's staff in Tampa Bay from 2002-08. Jay Gruden also coached several years in the AFL, winning the Arena Bowl title twice.
The Eagles have interviewed five candidates to replace Andy Reid, who was fired after 14 seasons. They are planning to meet with Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians this week.
Philadelphia interviewed Atlanta assistants Mike Nolan and Keith Armstrong, Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Penn State coach Bill O'Brien and Oregon's Chip Kelly.
Akers, Cundiff both could be on 49ers roster: David Akers and Billy Cundiff took their competition to be San Francisco's playoff kicker to Candlestick Park on Monday.
Coach Jim Harbaugh says there's a "good chance" both kickers will be on the roster for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, although he didn't specify whether each would be active.
Owner says Dolphins have keepers at coach and QB: Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross says years of instability in the coaching and quarterback jobs are over, and the team's losing should end soon, too.
Speaking with reporters Monday, Ross says he was pleased with the work of first-year coach Joe Philbin and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, even though the Dolphins went 7-9 to finish below .500 for the fourth consecutive season.
Philbin was hired a year ago as a first-time head coach - and Miami's seventh coach in eight years - after Ross unsuccessfully courted Jim Harbaugh in 2011 and Jeff Fisher in early 2012.
