NFL notebook: Cowboys hire Monte Kiffin to replace Rob Ryan
BY Associated Press
Saturday, January 12, 2013
1/12/13 at 2:34 AM
NFL NOTEBOOK
The Dallas Cowboys hired former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin as the replacement for Rob Ryan on Friday.
The team announced the move a day after the 72-year-old Kiffin was at team headquarters to interview with coach Jason Garrett and owner Jerry Jones.
The hiring of Kiffin means the Cowboys will switch back to the 4-3 defense after going to the 3-4 under Bill Parcells in 2005. The most notable switch will be Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware becoming a defensive end, and Anthony Spencer could make the same move if the Cowboys re-sign him.
Kiffin hasn't coached in the NFL since ending a 13-year run in Tampa in 2008. He spent the past few years coaching in college with his son, Lane Kiffin, at Tennessee and Southern California.
Ryan was fired Tuesday after two seasons.
Chudzinski thrilled to get Browns job: Rob Chudzinski's roots run 44 years deep with the Browns.
As a kid, he buckled on his orange helmet and ran around his backyard in Toledo, Ohio, pretending he was Ozzie Newsome. He sat outside in the snow and watched Cleveland games on TV through the window to make it feel like he was in the Dawg Pound.
He chomped on dog biscuits.
On Friday, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came true for Chudzinski, who was introduced as the Browns' sixth full-time coach since 1999. Although he has never been a head coach, "Chud" was selected over candidates with more experience and stronger resumes.
Chudzinski, though, stood out. He wanted it more than anyone.
"It's a dream come true, almost unbelievable in a lot of ways," Chudzinski said.
This is Chudzinski's third stint with the Browns. He coached Cleveland's tight ends in 2004 and was the team's offensive coordinator in 2007-08. In his first season calling plays, the Browns went 10-6 and had four players make the Pro Bowl. It hasn't been nearly as good since he left.
Chiefs announce coordinators, assistant coaches: Andy Reid is wasting about as much time putting together his first coaching staff in Kansas City as he did in finding his new job.
The Chiefs coach announced Friday that former Eagles coach Doug Pederson would be his offensive coordinator and longtime Jets assistant Bob Sutton the defensive coordinator, along with the majority of the staff Reid hopes will turn around a 2-14 franchise.
The moves come one week after Reid was hired by the Chiefs to replace the fired Romeo Crennel, and less than two weeks after he was dismissed following 14 seasons with the Eagles.
Reid announced that Matt Nagy will coach the Chiefs' quarterbacks after two seasons as the Eagles' offensive quality control coach. Eric Bieniemy will work with running backs, Tom Melvin the tight ends, and David Culley will be an assistant head coach and work with wide receivers.
Reid has not announced an offensive line coach. Tommy Brasher will work with the defensive line.
NFL Playoffs
Wild-card round
Jan. 5
Houston 19, Cincinnati 13
Green Bay 24, Minnesota 10
Jan. 6
Baltimore 24, Indianapolis 9
Seattle 24, Washington 14
Divisional round
SATURDAY
Baltimore at Denver, 3:30 p.m. (KOTV-6, KYAL-97.1)
Green Bay at San Francisco, 7 p.m. (KOKI-5/23, KYAL-1550)
SUNDAY
Seattle at Atlanta, noon (KOKI-5/23, KYAL-97.1)
Houston at New England, 3:30 p.m. (KOTV-6, KYAL-97.1)
Conference Championships
Jan. 20
NFC, 2 p.m. (KOKI-5/23)
AFC, 5:30 p.m. (KOTV-6)
Super Bowl
Feb. 3
At New Orleans
AFC champ vs. NFC champ, 5 p.m. (KOTV-6)
