American football coach
American football player
Richard Todd Haley
[1]
(born February 28, 1967) is an
American football
coach who most recently was
head coach
for the
Memphis Showboats
of the
United States Football League
(USFL).
From 1997 to 2006, he had stints as the
wide receivers
coach of the
New York Jets
,
Chicago Bears
, and
Dallas Cowboys
. He served as the offensive coordinator of the
Arizona Cardinals
from 2007 to 2008, the head coach of the
Kansas City Chiefs
from 2009 to 2011, the offensive coordinator of the
Pittsburgh Steelers
from 2012 to 2017, and the offensive coordinator of the
Cleveland Browns
in 2018, but he was fired in Week 8 of his first season with the team. Haley also coached the
Tampa Bay Bandits
in 2022.
Early years and education
[
edit
]
Haley was born on February 28, 1967, in
Atlanta
, Georgia.
[2]
He is the son of
Dick Haley
, the formerly director of player personnel for the
Pittsburgh Steelers
and
New York Jets
and a former NFL cornerback.
[1]
As a youth, Haley was a ball boy for the Steelers and attended Steelers training camps with his father.
[1]
Alongside his father, Haley would watch the Steelers' game and practice film.
[1]
[3]
Haley attended
Upper St. Clair High School
,
[1]
and went on to attend the
University of Florida
and then the
University of Miami
, where he played on the two schools' respective golf squads.
[1]
In 1991, Haley graduated from the
University of North Florida
with a bachelor's degree in communication.
[1]
Haley is one of the few coaches to have never played
football
beyond youth level.
Coaching career
[
edit
]
New York Jets
[
edit
]
Haley was hired by the
New York Jets
in 1995 and served as an assistant in the scouting department for two seasons. At the time, Haley's father Dick was working with the Jets as director of player personnel.
[3]
In 1997, he was promoted to offensive assistant/quality control coach and worked closely
Charlie Weis
, who was then offensive coordinator for the Jets.
From 1999 to 2000, Haley was the Jets' wide receivers coach, where he coached
Keyshawn Johnson
to his second
Pro Bowl
appearance. During his tenure with the Jets, Haley began his association with
Scott Pioli
, who served as director of pro Personnel for the Jets from 1997 to 1999. Pioli later became the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs and hired Haley as the team's head coach in 2009.
Chicago Bears
[
edit
]
In 2001, Haley joined the
Chicago Bears
as wide receivers coach, and served in the position until 2003.
Dallas Cowboys
[
edit
]
From 2004 to 2006, Haley was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for the
Dallas Cowboys
, where he helped develop quarterback
Tony Romo
and the Cowboys' passing offense, which centered around wide receivers
Terry Glenn
and
Terrell Owens
.
Arizona Cardinals
[
edit
]
In 2007, Haley joined
Ken Whisenhunt
's coaching staff for the
Arizona Cardinals
as the team's offensive coordinator. Haley did not start calling plays for the Cardinals until late in the season.
[4]
The Cardinals finished in the top half of the NFL in multiple offensive categories.
Under Haley's guidance, the Cardinals offense in 2008 was one of the league's most innovative and explosive units.
[1]
Arizona tied for third in the league in scoring, registering a franchise-record 427 points (26.7 ppg).
[1]
The Cardinals were fourth in total offense, averaging 365.8 yards per game.
[1]
Arizona was second in the league in passing offense (292.1 ypg) and ranked sixth in the NFL with 20.5 first downs per game.
[1]
The Cardinals finished the season with a 9?7 record and a playoff berth after winning the
NFC West
Division title. The Cardinals went on to appear in their first
Super Bowl
in franchise history after the team scored more than 30 points in each of its three playoff games.
In
Super Bowl XLIII
, the Cardinals offense played the NFL's top-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers defense.
[5]
Trailing 17–7 at halftime, the Cardinals offense fought back after a 13-point deficit and led the game 23–20 with just over two minutes remaining.
[5]
The Cardinals lost 27–23 in the game's final seconds.
[5]
Kansas City Chiefs
[
edit
]
On December 14, 2008, a last-minute loss to the
San Diego Chargers
led longtime
Kansas City Chiefs
general manager
Carl Peterson
to abruptly announce his resignation the following day, paving the way for the hiring of
Scott Pioli
on January 13, 2009 as Peterson's successor.
[6]
[7]
The decision to hire Pioli led to speculation that
Herman Edwards
, who had been serving as the Chiefs' head coach since 2006, was not likely to return for 2009.
[6]
Edwards was fired on January 23, just five days after the Arizona Cardinals defeated the
Philadelphia Eagles
in the
NFC Championship Game
.
[8]
Leading up to
Super Bowl XLIII
, Haley was repeatedly questioned about Kansas City and the possibilities of joining his former colleague Pioli.
[4]
Haley would later say that it was the day after the Super Bowl, which the Cardinals lost, that he heard his name mentioned for the Chiefs' coaching position.
[4]
In the days after the Cardinals' appearance in
Super Bowl XLIII
, Haley was offered the head coaching position of the Chiefs.
[9]
Haley accepted the position on February 6, 2009, and signed a four-year contract.
[1]
[4]
For his first coaching staff, Haley hired
Joel Collier
,
Gary Gibbs
,
Steve Hoffman
,
Bill Muir
,
Clancy Pendergast
, Pat Perles, and
Dedric Ward
to unspecified positions on the Chiefs' 2009 coaching staff and retained
Bob Bicknell
,
Joe D'Alessandris
,
Chan Gailey
,
Tim Krumrie
, Brent Salazar, and
Cedric Smith
from
Herm Edwards
' staff.
[10]
Ward and Pendergast had previously served on the Cardinals' coaching staff with Haley.
Initially there were doubts as to whether Chan Gailey would be retained under Haley's coaching staff, because Haley had just concluded a successful stint as offensive coordinator at Arizona. Haley initially expressed satisfaction in working with Gailey, saying, "The more I work with the guy, the more I like him..."
[
This quote needs a citation
]
After the Chiefs lost their first three preseason games partially due to an abysmal offensive performance, however, Haley reportedly refused to bow to Gailey's suggestion to once again install a
spread offense
similar to the one installed midway through the
2008
season. Gailey was relieved of duties and Haley assumed offensive play-calling duties throughout the rest of the season.
[11]
The Chiefs lost their first five games under Haley in 2009. Haley won his first game as the Chiefs' head coach on October 18, 2009, beating the Washington Redskins 14?6.
In late October 2009 the Chiefs suspended starting running back
Larry Johnson
for one week in response to his public comments on
Twitter
where he questioned Haley's coaching abilities and for using homophobic slurs
[
clarification needed
]
when he addressed the media.
[12]
Johnson's Twitter comments were: "My father got more creditentials than most of these pro coaches" [Sic]. That was followed by: "My father played for the coach from "Remember the Titans". Our coach played golf. My father played for the Redskins briefly. Our coach. Nuthin." [Sic]
[13]
When Johnson returned from his suspension, he was released.
After Haley released Johnson, he led the Chiefs to their first two-game winning streak since the 2007 season with victories against the
Oakland Raiders
and Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15 and 22. The 27?24 victory over the Steelers?the defending
Super Bowl
champions?came in overtime. The Chiefs ended their season with a victory against the
Denver Broncos
who were looking to clinch a Wild-Card playoff berth with a win. This was the first Kansas City win at Denver since
2000
and their first victory at
Invesco Field at Mile High
, which opened in
2001
. This concluded the Chiefs season with a 4?12 record, a two-win improvement from 2008.
In Haley's second season, the Chiefs won their first three games, including the season opener on
Monday Night Football
against the
San Diego Chargers
, and were the last undefeated team remaining in the NFL before losing at Indianapolis in Week 5. Kansas City went on to win the AFC West for the first time since 2003.
On January 9, 2011, the Chiefs played the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs lost the game 30?7 with
Matt Cassel
passing for 70 yards and 3 interceptions. The only touchdown was a 41-yard touchdown run by
Jamaal Charles
.
On September 2, 2011, Haley elected to play his starters against the
Green Bay Packers
in the final preseason game of the year. Tight end
Tony Moeaki
, a crucial piece of the team's 2011 offensive plans, injured his knee at the beginning of the second quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. In a game played mostly by the Chiefs starters and the Packers' backups, the Chiefs lost, 20?19, leading many
[
who?
]
to question Haley's decision to use his best players late into the game.
Despite having lost several key players to injuries, on October 31, 2011, Haley led the Chiefs to a come-from-behind victory on
Monday Night Football
. The win was KC's fourth in a row, which moved them into first place in the AFC West. It marked the first time in NFL history that a team that started 0?3 was leading its division by the halfway point of the season.
Chiefs starting quarterback Matt Cassel broke his hand during a week 11 game versus the Denver Broncos. He was replaced by
Tyler Palko
, and had surgery on the injured hand on November 14. On November 21, Cassel was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Palko proved to be inadequate as a backup to a merely serviceable Cassel, leading many
[
who?
]
to question how a team with legitimate playoff hopes entering the 2011 season had remained so thin at so many key positions during the off-season, especially at quarterback and safety, where the Chiefs' lack of depth was more than woeful.
Haley was fired on December 12, 2011, after leading his team to a 5?8 record during the 2011 NFL season.
[14]
The 2011 season began with three losses, including two blow-outs to Detroit and Buffalo. The team appeared to regroup, winning four straight games, before losing the next 5 of 6, including a complete team collapse in Haley's final game against the New York Jets. Late in that game Haley was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, allowing the Jets to complete a touchdown drive that ultimately put the game out of reach. On that drive, the Jets offense gained only 9 net yards, however still scored after starting at their own 10 yard line due to 81 yards across 5 penalties against the Chiefs (including the one against Haley).
[15]
After the loss, defensive coordinator
Romeo Crennel
was promoted to replace Haley.
[16]
Pittsburgh Steelers
[
edit
]
On February 13, 2012, the
Pittsburgh Steelers
announced the hiring of Haley as the team's new offensive coordinator. Haley grew up in the
Pittsburgh
suburb of
Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania
, and his father was the Steelers' former personnel director. He was the first offensive coordinator in 13 years to be hired from outside the organization.
[17]
On January 17, 2018, the Steelers announced that Haley's contract, which had expired at the conclusion of the 2017 season, would not be renewed.
[18]
Cleveland Browns
[
edit
]
On January 22, 2018, Haley was hired by the
Cleveland Browns
as their offensive coordinator. On October 29, 2018, Haley was fired along with head coach
Hue Jackson
.
[19]
Riverview High School
[
edit
]
On February 14, 2020, Haley was hired as the offensive coordinator for the
Riverview Rams
in
Sarasota, Florida
.
[20]
Tampa Bay Bandits
[
edit
]
On January 6, 2022, Haley was named Head coach and General manager for the
Tampa Bay Bandits
of the
United States Football League
.
[21]
Memphis Showboats
[
edit
]
On November 15, 2022, it was announced that Haley would be the head coach of the
Memphis Showboats
for the upcoming
2023 USFL season
.
[22]
Haley was fired from this position on October 23, 2023.
[23]
Coaching style
[
edit
]
Haley has been described as an aggressive coach and can be combative with players.
[4]
[24]
During the 2008
NFC
championship game against the
Philadelphia Eagles
, he had a first-half argument with quarterback
Kurt Warner
in full view of television cameras and with wide receiver
Anquan Boldin
later in the game.
[4]
As wide receivers coach with the
Dallas Cowboys
, he also had a spat with
Terrell Owens
, who was then a wide receiver with the Cowboys.
[4]
Defending his style, Haley said "It's part of how I coach...It's part of how I motivate, and I like to think I've had some success doing it."
[4]
Personal life
[
edit
]
Haley has five children with his ex-wife Chrissy.
In 2006, Haley filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against
McDonald's
after his wife found a dead
rat
in her salad. The salad was purchased at a
Southlake, Texas
, McDonald's restaurant while Haley was a member of the
Dallas Cowboys
coaching staff at the time. His wife and their live-in babysitter began to eat before noticing the rat. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
[25]
On December 31, 2017, Haley, who was then offensive coordinator for the
Pittsburgh Steelers
, was injured following the Steelers' Week 17 game, according to a team spokesman.
[26]
He was pushed down by an unknown assailant, which broke his
pelvis
. No charges were filed because no witnesses came forward to cooperate in criminal or civil prosecution.
Head coaching record
[
edit
]
Team
|
Year
|
Regular season
|
Postseason
|
Won
|
Lost
|
Ties
|
Win %
|
Finish
|
Won
|
Lost
|
Win %
|
Result
|
KC
|
2009
|
4
|
12
|
0
|
.250
|
4th in AFC West
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
KC
|
2010
|
10
|
6
|
0
|
.625
|
1st in AFC West
|
0
|
1
|
.000
|
Lost to
Baltimore Ravens
in
AFC wild card game
|
KC
|
2011
|
5
|
8
|
0
|
.385
|
Fired
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total
[27]
|
19
|
26
|
0
|
|
|
0
|
1
|
.000
|
|
USFL
[
edit
]
Team
|
Year
|
Regular season
|
Postseason
|
Won
|
Lost
|
Ties
|
Win %
|
Finish
|
Won
|
Lost
|
Win %
|
Result
|
TB
|
2022
|
4
|
6
|
0
|
.400
|
3rd
(South Division)
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
MEM
|
2023
|
5
|
5
|
0
|
.500
|
4th
(South Division)
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
Total
|
9
|
11
|
0
|
.450
|
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
?
|
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
"Todd Haley named Kansas City Chiefs head coach"
. Kansas City Chiefs. February 6, 2009. Archived from
the original
on March 3, 2009
. Retrieved
February 6,
2009
.
- ^
"Todd Haley named Kansas City Chiefs head coach"
. Kansas City Chiefs. February 6, 2009. Archived from
the original
on February 9, 2009
. Retrieved
February 6,
2009
.
- ^
a
b
King, Peter (February 6, 2009).
"Todd Haley is the new Chief in town"
. Sports Illustrated
. Retrieved
February 6,
2009
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
"Chiefs hire Cardinals offensive coordinator Haley as coach"
.
NFL.com
. Associated Press. February 6, 2009
. Retrieved
February 6,
2009
.
- ^
a
b
c
"Steelers earn sixth Super Bowl victory in thriller over Cardinals"
.
NFL.com
. February 1, 2009. Archived from
the original
on April 10, 2009
. Retrieved
February 6,
2009
.
- ^
a
b
"Pioli to join Chiefs"
.
ESPN.com
. January 13, 2009
. Retrieved
January 13,
2009
.
- ^
"Scott Pioli named Kansas City Chiefs general manager"
. Kansas City Chiefs. January 13, 2009. Archived from
the original
on May 26, 2020
. Retrieved
January 13,
2009
.
- ^
"Raising Arizona: Late TD drive carries Cards to first Super Bowl"
.
NFL.com
. January 18, 2009
. Retrieved
February 6,
2009
.
- ^
Glazer, Jay (February 5, 2009).
"Source: Cards assistant tabbed to coach Chiefs"
.
Fox Sports
. Archived from
the original
on February 7, 2009
. Retrieved
February 6,
2009
.
- ^
"Kansas City Chiefs announce coaching staff moves"
. Kansas City Chiefs. February 17, 2009. Archived from
the original
on February 21, 2009
. Retrieved
February 17,
2009
.
- ^
Clayton, John (August 31, 2009).
"Gailey no longer running Chiefs' offense"
.
ESPN.com
. Retrieved
August 31,
2009
.
- ^
"Chiefs suspend Johnson indefinitely"
.
NFL.com
. October 27, 2009
. Retrieved
October 27,
2009
.
- ^
"Johnson uses slurs for Haley, reporters"
.
ESPN.com
. October 26, 2009.
- ^
"Haley relieved of duties"
. Kansas City Chiefs. December 12, 2011. Archived from
the original
on January 7, 2012
. Retrieved
December 12,
2011
.
- ^
Rubenstein, Alex;
Bois, Jon
(March 13, 2021).
The god-awful drive that changed NFL history | Dorktown
. Secret Base/SB Nation – via YouTube.
- ^
The Kansas City Star
Archived
November 4, 2012, at the
Wayback Machine
- ^
"Haley "excited" to be new Steelers offensive coordinator"
.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. February 7, 2012. Archived from
the original
on February 10, 2012
. Retrieved
February 7,
2012
.
- ^
"Randy Fichtner replaces Todd Haley as Steelers OC"
.
NFL.com
.
- ^
"Haley is Browns' new offensive coordinator"
.
Cincinnati.com
.
- ^
Alper, Josh (February 14, 2020).
"Todd Haley hired as offensive coordinator at a Sarasota high school"
.
ProFootballTalk
. NBC Sports.
- ^
Gaydos, Ryan (January 6, 2022).
"4 USFL teams reveal their head coaches for upcoming season"
.
Fox News
. Retrieved
January 6,
2022
.
- ^
"Pro football's Memphis Showboats returning to city in 2023"
.
www.actionnews5.com
. November 15, 2022
. Retrieved
November 15,
2022
.
- ^
Braxton, Avery (October 23, 2023).
"Todd Haley out as Showboats Head Coach"
.
WATN-TV
. Retrieved
October 25,
2023
.
- ^
"Players still getting used to Haley's fiery style of coaching"
.
NFL.com
. Associated Press. June 21, 2009
. Retrieved
June 21,
2009
.
- ^
"I Smell a McRat"
.
Dallas Observer
. Retrieved
July 17,
2011
.
- ^
Schad, Tom.
"Pittsburgh police: Steelers OC Todd Haley OK; wife in bar scuffle"
. USA Today
. Retrieved
January 3,
2018
.
- ^
"Todd Haley Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks"
.
Pro-Football-Reference.com
. Retrieved
July 24,
2023
.
External links
[
edit
]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to
Todd Haley
.
|
---|
North Division
| |
---|
South Division
| |
---|
|
---|
Formerly the
Dallas Texans
(1960?1962)
|
# denotes interim head coach
|