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Sports

Chiefs' Crennel steps down as defensive coordinator

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

Kansas City, MO – Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel stepped down as the team's defensive coordinator Monday.

Linebackers coach Gary Gibbs will take over defensive coordinator responsibilities.

Crennel had served dual roles since Todd Haley was fired as the head coach on Dec. 12.

Crennel guided to Chiefs to a 2-1 record at the end of last season, prompting the team to give him the full-time head-coaching position in the offseason, but the team is just 1-7 this season and has not held a lead in regulation through eight games.

Their lone win of the season was a 27-24 overtime decision over the New Orleans Saints in Week 3.

"I have decided that I am going to spend more time with the whole team and less with the defense," Crennel said. "We're trying to get this thing right and trying to get it turned. We have eight games to play. It's an eight-game season for us, so we're going to try and do everything we can to come out these eight games on the winning ledger."

Kansas City's defense ranks 29th in points allowed (30) and 17th in yards allowed (347.5) per game.

In another defensive shakeup, the team waived cornerback Stanford Routt and signed defensive tackle Shaun Smith.

Kansas City signed Routt to a three-year, $18 million contract as a free agent this offseason.

A second-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in 2005, Routt has 21 tackles and two interceptions over seven games this season.

He was deactivated for Thursday's 31-13 loss to San Diego.

"This relationship wasn't progressing as quickly or as fast as I wanted it to, so I decided to make a change," Crennel said about Routt.

Smith recorded 25 tackles and a sack through 15 games for the Tennessee Titans last season, but was cut by the team in August and has not played this season.