Todd Haley fired as Kansas City Chiefs head coach

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Todd Haley has been fired as the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, less than a year after he led them to a surprising 10-6 record and AFC West title.

The move comes a day after a 37-10 loss to the New York Jets dropped the Chiefs to 5-8, three games back in the division with three games remaining. Haley drew a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct during what turned out to be his final game with the team.

“This was a difficult decision but one that we feel is best for the future of the Chiefs,” Chairman and Chief Executive Clark Hunt said in a statement. “Although there have been bright spots at different points this season, we have not made meaningful progress and we felt that it was necessary to make a change. We appreciate Todd’s contributions during his time with the club, and we wish him well in the future.”

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel will take over as interim head coach. Crennel was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 2005 to ’08.

After going 4-12 during Haley’s first season as coach in 2009, the Chiefs were one of the feel-good stories of the NFL last year. But they finished the season with successive losses, including a first-round exit from the playoffs, and started this season 0-3.

The team has been ravaged by injuries this season, including the loss of quarterback Matt Cassel to a broken hand in November.

Haley, who was 19-27 with the Chiefs, is the second head coach to be fired this season. Jack Del Rio lost his job with the Jacksonville Jaguars last month.

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.