Todd Haley

Richard Todd Haley(born February 28, 1967) is anAmerican footballcoach who most recently washead coachfor theMemphis Showboatsof theUnited States Football League(USFL).

Todd Haley

Haley with theKansas City Chiefsin 2009
Personal information
Born:	(1967-02-28)February 28, 1967 Atlanta,Georgia, U.S.
Career information
High school:	Upper St. Clair (Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania)
College:	North Florida
Career history
As a coach:
New York Jets(1995–1996) Scouting assistant New York Jets (1997–2000) Wide receivers coach Chicago Bears(2001–2003) Wide receivers coach Dallas Cowboys(2004–2006) Wide receivers coach Arizona Cardinals(2007–2008) Offensive coordinator Kansas City Chiefs(2009–2011) Head coach Pittsburgh Steelers(2012–2017) Offensive coordinator Cleveland Browns(2018) Offensive coordinator Riverview High School(2020–2021) Offensive coordinator Tampa Bay Bandits(2022) Head coach Memphis Showboats(2023) Head coach
As an administrator:
Tampa Bay Bandits (2022) General manager
Head coaching record
Regular season:	28–37 (.431)
Postseason:	0–1 (.000)
Career:	28–38 (.424)
RecordatPro Football Reference

From 1997 to 2006, he had stints as thewide receiverscoach of theNew York Jets,Chicago Bears,andDallas Cowboys.He served as the offensive coordinator of theArizona Cardinalsfrom 2007 to 2008, the head coach of theKansas City Chiefsfrom 2009 to 2011, the offensive coordinator of thePittsburgh Steelersfrom 2012 to 2017, and the offensive coordinator of theCleveland Brownsin 2018 (he was fired in Week 8 of his first season with the team). Haley also coached theTampa Bay Banditsin 2022.

Early years and education

Haley was born on February 28, 1967, inAtlanta,Georgia.He is the son ofDick Haley,the former director of player personnel for thePittsburgh SteelersandNew York Jetsand a former NFL cornerback.As a youth, Haley was a ball boy for the Steelers and attended Steelers training camps with his father.Alongside his father, Haley would watch the Steelers' game and practice film.

Haley attendedUpper St. Clair High School,and went on to attend theUniversity of Floridaand then theUniversity of Miami,where he played on the two schools' respective golf squads.In 1991, Haley graduated from theUniversity of North Floridawith a bachelor's degree in communication.Haley is one of the few coaches to have never playedfootballbeyond youth level.

Coaching career

New York Jets

Haley was hired by theNew York Jetsin 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.In 1997, he was promoted to offensive assistant/quality control coach and worked closelyCharlie Weis,who was then offensive coordinator for the Jets.

From 1999 to 2000, Haley was the Jets' wide receivers coach, where he coachedKeyshawn Johnsonto his secondPro Bowlappearance. During his tenure with the Jets, Haley began his association withScott 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

In 2001, Haley joined theChicago Bearsas wide receivers coach, and served in the position until 2003.

Dallas Cowboys

From 2004 to 2006, Haley was the wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator for theDallas Cowboys,where he helped develop quarterbackTony Romoand the Cowboys' passing offense, which centered around wide receiversTerry GlennandTerrell Owens.

Arizona Cardinals

In 2007, Haley joinedKen Whisenhunt's coaching staff for theArizona Cardinalsas the team's offensive coordinator. Haley did not start calling plays for the Cardinals until late in the season.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.Arizona tied for third in the league in scoring, registering a franchise-record 427 points (26.7 ppg).The Cardinals were fourth in total offense, averaging 365.8 yards per game.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.The Cardinals finished the season with a 9–7 record and a playoff berth after winning theNFC WestDivision title. The Cardinals went on to appear in their firstSuper Bowlin franchise history after the team scored more than 30 points in each of its three playoff games.

InSuper Bowl XLIII,the Cardinals offense played the NFL's top-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers defense.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.The Cardinals lost 27–23 in the game's final seconds.

Kansas City Chiefs

On December 14, 2008, a last-minute loss to theSan Diego Chargersled longtimeKansas City Chiefsgeneral managerCarl Petersonto abruptly announce his resignation the following day, paving the way for the hiring ofScott Piolion January 13, 2009 as Peterson's successor.The decision to hire Pioli led to speculation thatHerman Edwards,who had been serving as the Chiefs' head coach since 2006, was not likely to return for 2009.Edwards was fired on January 23, just five days after the Arizona Cardinals defeated thePhiladelphia Eaglesin theNFC Championship Game.Leading up toSuper Bowl XLIII,Haley was repeatedly questioned about Kansas City and the possibilities of joining his former colleague Pioli.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.

In the days after the Cardinals' appearance inSuper Bowl XLIII,Haley was offered the head coaching position of the Chiefs.Haley accepted the position on February 6, 2009, and signed a four-year contract.For his first coaching staff, Haley hiredJoel Collier,Gary Gibbs,Steve Hoffman,Bill Muir,Clancy Pendergast,Pat Perles, andDedric Wardto unspecified positions on the Chiefs' 2009 coaching staff and retainedBob Bicknell,Joe D'Alessandris,Chan Gailey,Tim Krumrie,Brent Salazar, andCedric SmithfromHerm Edwards' staff.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..."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 aspread offensesimilar to the one installed midway through the2008season. Gailey was relieved of duties and Haley assumed offensive play-calling duties throughout the rest of the season.

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 backLarry Johnsonfor one week in response to his public comments onTwitterwhere he questioned Haley's coaching abilities and for using homophobic slurswhen he addressed the media.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]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 theOakland Raidersand Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15 and 22. The 27–24 victory over the Steelers—the defendingSuper Bowlchampions—came in overtime. The Chiefs ended their season with a victory against theDenver Broncoswho were looking to clinch a Wild-Card playoff berth with a win. This was the first Kansas City win at Denver since2000and their first victory atInvesco Field at Mile High,which opened in2001.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 onMonday Night Footballagainst theSan 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 withMatt Casselpassing for 70 yards and 3 interceptions. The only touchdown was a 41-yard touchdown run byJamaal Charles.

On September 2, 2011, Haley elected to play his starters against theGreen Bay Packersin the final preseason game of the year. Tight endTony 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 manyto 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 onMonday 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 byTyler 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 manyto 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.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).After the loss, defensive coordinatorRomeo Crennelwas promoted to replace Haley.

Pittsburgh Steelers

On February 13, 2012, thePittsburgh Steelersannounced the hiring of Haley as the team's new offensive coordinator. Haley grew up in thePittsburghsuburb ofUpper 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.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.

Cleveland Browns

On January 22, 2018, Haley was hired by theCleveland Brownsas their offensive coordinator. On October 29, 2018, Haley was fired along with head coachHue Jackson.

Riverview High School

On February 14, 2020, Haley was hired as the offensive coordinator for theRiverview RamsinSarasota, Florida.

Tampa Bay Bandits

On January 6, 2022, Haley was named Head coach and General manager for theTampa Bay Banditsof theUnited States Football League.

Memphis Showboats

On November 15, 2022, it was announced that Haley would be the head coach of theMemphis Showboatsfor the upcoming2023 USFL season.Haley was fired from this position on October 23, 2023.

Coaching style

Haley has been described as an aggressive coach and can be combative with players.

During the 2008NFCchampionship game against thePhiladelphia Eagles,he had a first-half argument with quarterbackKurt Warnerin full view of television cameras and with wide receiverAnquan Boldinlater in the game.As wide receivers coach with theDallas Cowboys,he also had a spat withTerrell Owens,who was then a wide receiver with the Cowboys.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."

Personal life

Haley has five children with his ex-wife Chrissy. They divorced in 2023.

In 2006, Haley filed a $1.5 million lawsuit againstMcDonald'safter his wife found a deadratin her salad. The salad was purchased at aSouthlake, Texas,McDonald's restaurant while Haley was a member of theDallas Cowboyscoaching 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.

On December 31, 2017, Haley, who was then offensive coordinator for thePittsburgh Steelers,was injured following the Steelers' Week 17 game, according to a team spokesman.He was pushed down by an unknown assailant, which broke hispelvis.No charges were filed because no witnesses came forward to cooperate in criminal or civil prosecution.

Head coaching record

NFL

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 toBaltimore RavensinAFC wild card game
KC	2011	5	8	0	.385	Fired	-	-	-	-
Total		19	26	0			0	1	.000

USFL

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		—	—	—	—

External links

• Pittsburgh Steelers profile
• Media related toTodd Haleyat Wikimedia Commons