KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chicago Bears announced the hiring of Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as their new head coach on Monday, initiating a shuffle among the leadership of the team’s offensive for the third-straight season.
Former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (left) watches the action along with head coach Andy Reid during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 24, 2017 at Arrowhead Stadium. (Photo by Justin Olson, ChiefsDigest.com)
Nagy came to Kansas City in 2013 along with head coach Andy Reid. The 39-year-old Nagy served as quarterbacks coach from 2013-15 under offensive coordinator Doug Pederson. When Pederson left to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, Nagy earned a promotion to co-offensive coordinator along with Brad Childress. Nagy became the sole offensive coordinator in 2017 with Childress transitioning to assistant head coach.
The offensive sparkled under Nagy in 2017, with the Chiefs becoming the second team in NFL history to have a 4,000-yard quarterback, a 1,000-yard running back, a 1,000-yard receiver and a 1,000-yard tight end.
The team ranked fifth in the league in total yards, sixth in scoring, first in turnovers, first in yards per rush and second in yards per play.
Nagy’s luster took on a new shine late in the season when Reid handed off play calling duties to his young protegé. The struggling Chiefs offensive found new life, averaging 28.3 points per game during the last six games of the season.
The search for Nagy’s replacement could start within the Chiefs current staff. Running backs coach Eric Bieniemy served as offensive coordinator for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2011-12, before joining Reid’s staff in Kansas City.
“I’m a big fan of his,” Reid said of his longtime assistant. “I’ve got good coaches and I’ve said before I think he’s a phenomenal football coach.”
Reid appears likely to return control of play calling to himself, and Childress’ presence on the staff gives the club latitude in hiring an offensive coordinator with less experience. Nagy had never served as an offensive coordinator before the 2016 season. The NFL Network, however, reported Monday Childress may be considering retirement.
Nagy’s departure may be the first of other changes in the team’s coaching staff. Special teams coordinator Dave Toub remains a candidate as head coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
Reid’s staff in Kansas City has shown remarkably little turnover since his arrival in 2013, but coaches moving to new jobs have started to take their toll on the group’s stability. The departure of Nagy leaves the Chiefs with 10 coaches from the 17 that made up Reid’s offensive, defensive and special teams staff in 2013. That group includes Toub, Childress and Bieniemy along with defensive coordinator Bob Sutton among others.
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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