Chiefs Name Cunningham Coach

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 22, 1999 / 3:32 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham climbed the corporate ladder Friday -- all the way to head coach.

Cunningham replaces Marty Schottenheimer, who won 101 games in 10 years with the Chiefs but resigned unexpectedly on Jan. 11 following a troubled 7-9 campaign, his first losing season in 15 years as a head coach.

"Gunther has an unbelievable worth ethic," Chiefs president and general manager Carl Peterson said at a news conference. "Gunther is a player's coach. They listen to him and they respect him."

"He will get in their face when they need it, he will get them to respond. ... He does it for one reason, he wants them to be the best they can be."

Cunningham thanked Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, then said, "The last 24 hours have probably been the most interesting 24 hours I've spent in my life."

"I think this last season the Chiefs lost their way a little. It's like walking in a forest, and the Chiefs took the wrong path."

The 48-year-old Cunningham coached under Schottenheimer the past four seasons as defensive coordinator. His defense led the NFL in average points allowed in 1997 but slipped to 22nd in 1998.

In many ways, Cunningham's defense disintegrated last season. His best player, linebacker Derrick Thomas, had a sub-par year, and injuries also hurt the unit.

However, Cunningham is well-liked by the players. Cornerback James Hasty re-signed with the Chiefs because of Cunningham's presence.

"I called Marty this morning," Peterson said. "Marty was ecstatic with this decision."

Gunther Cunningham is the now the main man on the Chiefs sideline. (AP)

Cunningham said he naturally would concentrate on the defense, but knew that the Chiefs would be able to move the ball.

"I have spent these many years concentrating on how to stop them," Cunningham said. "But there is no doubt in my mind that I know how to move the football."

Cunningham came to the Chiefs from the Los Angeles Raiders, where he spent four years (1991-94). In both his years as defensive coordinator (1992-93), the Raiders defense ranked ninth in the NFL.

Before his stint with the Raiders, Cunningham spent six years with the San Diego Chargers as defensive line coach. The former linebacker/kicker at Oregon started his NFL coaching career in 1982 with the Baltimore Colts.