Chiefs introduce Reid as head coach

Kansas City, MO – Andy Reid is excited about coaching in front of the Sea of Red at Arrowhead Stadium.

"The fan base here is phenomenal," Reid said as he was introduced as the new Kansas City Chiefs head coach on Monday. "There's nothing like the Sea of Red."

Reid was fired last Monday after 14 years as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

It didn't take the Chiefs long to lock up Reid.

On Friday night, Kansas City officially signed Reid to a deal that is reportedly for five years. Earlier that day, the Chiefs parted ways with general manager Scott Pioli after four years.

Reid replaces Romeo Crennel, who also lost his job last Monday.

Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt couldn't be more happy to land a veteran coach like Reid.

"We are thrilled to welcome Andy to the Chiefs family," Hunt said. "Throughout his career, Andy has established himself as one of the finest coaches in the National Football League. His integrity, knowledge of the game, work ethic and outstanding abilities as a teacher and communicator make him the ideal head coach to lead the Chiefs for many years to come."

Pioli's departure cleared the way for Reid to become the head of football operations in Kansas City, much the way he was in Philadelphia. Reid answered only to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie during his time in Philly and will likely have the same authority in KC with Hunt.

"My family and I are very excited to join the Chiefs organization and the Kansas City community," Reid said. "I want to thank the Hunt family for allowing me the opportunity to lead this storied franchise. The Chiefs have always had a passionate fan base and I'm looking forward to Sundays at Arrowhead Stadium. We've got a lot of work to do to get ready for next season, and we are going to get started immediately."

The winningest coach in Eagles history, Philadelphia posted a 130-93-1 regular-season record under Reid's watch and amassed a 10-9 postseason mark. The Eagles made nine playoff appearances during Reid's 14 seasons, played in five NFC Championship Games and lost to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.

However, the team managed only an 8-8 mark in 2011 and slipped to 4-12 this past season, the franchise's worst since 1998.

"I can leave Philadelphia saying I gave it my all," Reid said.

Reid takes over a Kansas City roster that featured five Pro Bowl selections this season. However, the Chiefs were just 2-14 and will have the first pick in the 2013 draft. The trying year was also marked by linebacker Jovan Belcher's murder-suicide in December.

Finding a quarterback will be one of the first priorities for Reid, who is known for molding signal callers. He has worked with high draft choices like Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick to lower-round picks like Kevin Kolb and Nick Foles.

Reid currently has Matt Cassel, Brady Quinn and Ricky Stanzi to work with at quarterback. On Monday, Reid said he will analyze the quarterback situation.

In his first season with the Eagles, Reid selected McNabb with the second overall pick in the 1999 draft. Thus, it's possible Reid could take Geno Smith from West Virginia with the top pick this year.

"I've gotta find that next Len Dawson, doggone it," Reid said.

Kansas City won the AFC West under the direction of Pioli and head coach Todd Haley in 2010. However, that 10-win season was followed by a mark of 7-9 in 2011 that included Haley's firing. Crennel took over as interim coach for the final three games in 2011 and was named the full-time replacement last January.