FEATURE STORIES

Assistant Coaches Bring Expertice, New Talent to Camp

By Lisa Stratton
UWRF Public Affairs

On July 26 Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Herm Edwards returns to the UW-River Falls for his second year with a coaching staff comprised of experienced individuals and fresh faces.

Testing the waters at training camp for the first time is a trio of KCC coaching rookies: Cedric Smith, strength and conditioning coach; Kevin Patullo, offensive assistant/quality control coach; and Bob Bicknell, assistant offensive line coach.

After a spectacular seven-year spell as an NFL fullback, playing for teams such as the Minnesota Vikings, the New Orleans Saints, the Washington Redskins, and the Arizona Cardinals, Smith took a position with the Denver Broncos as their assistant strength and conditioning coach. Smith worked with the Broncos from 2001-06, and is now geared up and ready to whip every member of the Chiefs into prime physical condition with a rigorous year-round conditioning program. Smith, who hails from Enterprise, Ala., where he was named to the All-Alabama team, was a starting fullback at the University of Florida. While completing his degree in health sciences, Smith was named Academic All-SEC three times.

Lending a hand with tutoring the Chiefs signal callers is garden-fresh coaching pick Patullo. Born in Hillsborough, N.J., Patullo will also be coordinating the organization's self-scouting and doing weekly computer and statistical analysis of the team. Patullo began his football career at Western High School in Weston, Florida, where he was named to the 1998 Dade-Broward County All-Star Game. He attended the University of South Florida, alternating between quarterback and wide receiver. While at South Florida, Patullo was named a four-time Academic All-Conference USA and received the team's 'Golden Bull' award in 1999. After graduation, he was employed at the University of Arizona as an offensive graduate assistant.

Ex-NFL Europe offensive lineman and coordinator Bicknell is kicking off his career with the Chiefs offense this season. Bicknell's depth of knowledge of offensive tactics will benefit the newest members of the Chiefs offensive line as he assists coach Matsko.   A native of Hollinston, Mass., Bicknell played for Boston College as their tight end from 1988-91. He went on to coach at Boston University, serving as their safeties, running backs, and linebackers coach.   Bicknell's stint in NFL Europe spanned eight years; he was a member of Frankfurt's World Bowl 1999-winning team, and played for Berlin and Cologne. Before signing with the Chiefs, Bicknell was the offensive line coach at Temple University in 2006.

A significant number of the assistant coaches, hired by Edwards at the beginning of his term with the Chiefs, are also marking their second year at training camp. Among these proud gentlemen are ex-New York Jets staff Nate Wainwright, manager of football administration; U.S. Navy veteran and former quarterback/wide receiver Mike Priefer, special teams coach; 16 year NFL coach John Matsko, offensive line coach; former University of Wisconsin three-time All-Big Ten defensive tackle Tim Krumrie, defensive line coach; University of the South football alumnus Michael Ketchum, defensive assistant coach; former University of Minnesota defensive coordinator and secondary coach David Gibbs, defensive backs coach; ex-UCLA and University of Colorado coach Jon Embree, tight ends coach; Super Bowl XX contender Don Blackmon, linebackers coach; and double duty-pulling Dick Curl, assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach.

Even before Edwards appeared at camp, a crew of assistant coaches was upholding the Chiefs tradition of excellence. Former running back James Saxon, running backs coach, is commemorating his seventh year with the Chiefs. Also back with the Chiefs for his seventh year is Pro Football Hall of Famer Charlie Joiner, wide receivers coach.   Offensive Coordinator Mike Solari marks 2007 as his 11th year with the Chiefs after an extensive offensive coaching career.

Former head coach Gunther Cunningham, is observing his eighth season as the Chiefs defensive coordinator. Cunningham, born in Munich, Germany, is a longtime peer of Edwards, both working for the Chiefs in 1995. Edwards even attempted to lure Cunningham to the New York Jets in 2004 to be his defensive coordinator. Cunningham got his start in football when he was recruited by John Madden at Allan Hancock College. After that, he went on to be a linebacker and kicker at the University of Oregon. Upon graduation, Cunningham coached many impressive college defensive lines, including the University of Arkansas, Stanford, and the University of California. He got his start in the NFL as defensive line coach with the Baltimore Colts, and went on to coach the San Diego Chargers, the L.A. Raiders, and the Tennessee Titans.  

After 19 years, Defensive Assistant/Quality Control Coach Darvin Wallis holds the honor of being the most experienced member of the KCC coaching organization. Wallis, who cites 26 years of experience with the NFL and 36 years total of coaching, has had the privilege of working with famed previous KCC head coaches Marty Schottenheimer, Gunther Cunningham, and Dick Vermeil. Wallis' responsibilities with the Chiefs, include the difficult task of analyzing the team's defensive game and video clips, and authoring the team's annual defensive playbook. A native of Ft. Branch, Ind., Wallis began his career as a high school coach at Wilcox High and Ajo High, both in Arizona. The scholarly Wallis also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, a master's from Adams State College, and a Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. His son, Tyson, is carrying on the family tradition as a member of the football team at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

In an interview with KCChiefs.com, Edwards remarked on the upcoming season, saying "Whenever you start building something you've got to start somewhere and you know when you start there are going to be growing pains. We'll have some growing pains and the young guys will play a lot of football for us. That's the good thing about it: guys are going to get better and we're going to get better as a team."

Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs are counting on this collection of coaches to uphold the custom of football excellence the Chiefs are known for. Only time will tell - practices begin July 27, with the first preseason game on Aug. 11 against the Cleveland Browns.