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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 11:33 p.m., Tuesday, February 3, 2009

NFL: Chiefs will be talking to Cardinals' Haley

By Adam Teicher
McClatchy Newspapers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Three weeks after hiring Scott Pioli as general manager, and almost two after firing Herm Edwards, the Kansas City Chiefs are still looking for a head coach.

That fact indicates Pioli was waiting to speak with a particular candidate—and, evidently, he is Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Todd Haley. With Arizona's season concluding with last weekend's Super Bowl, the Chiefs received permission from the Cardinals to interview Haley for their head coaching vacancy, sources said.

The interview could happen as soon as Wednesday.

Haley, who turns 42 on Feb. 28, gained prominence this year as the Cardinals' offensive coordinator. In his second season with Arizona, the Cardinals won the NFC West championship for the first time.

They did it on the strength of one of the league's most dangerous offenses. Arizona finished tied for third in the NFL in scoring, fourth in total offense and second in passing yardage. The Cardinals set a franchise record by scoring 427 points.

The Cardinals were then surprise participants in the Super Bowl, again relying on a high-scoring offense. Arizona scored at least 30 points in each of its three NFC playoff games before Sunday's 27-23 loss to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

Arizona was 12th in total offense in Haley's first season as offensive coordinator and fifth in passing yardage. The Cardinals scored 404 points, third highest in team history.

Haley began his coaching career in 1996 as an offensive assistant coach with the Jets. Pioli and Haley worked together in New York from 1997 through 1999, with Pioli as the director of pro personnel and Haley as the wide receivers coach.

The two then went their separate ways. Pioli followed Bill Belichick to New England, where the Patriots won three Super Bowl championships.

Haley moved on to coach wide receivers for the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys before joining the Cardinals last year.

He also spent 1995 as a scout for the Jets.

Haley grew up in a football family. He is the son of Dick Haley, the longtime personnel director for the Steelers and New York Jets and now a scout for the Miami Dolphins.

The Chiefs were hoping to announce their new head coach later this week.