The Kansas City Chiefs named Bill Muir offensive coordinator/offensive line coach on Thursday. Muir enters his third season as a member of the Chiefs coaching staff in 2011 after spending the past two years as offensive line coach.
Muir owns a deep coaching history that includes 33 years of NFL experience and championship roots that trace back to the offensive system currently utilized in Kansas City. He is the most tenured member of the Chiefs coaching staff and has previously served in coordinator roles on both sides of the football at the NFL level.
Muir arrived in Kansas City two years ago after seven seasons as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator/offensive line coach. The Buccaneers won three division crowns and a Super Bowl XXXVII championship during Muir’s tenure with the team.
Head Coach Todd Haley said after the thorough search process, it was clear that Muir was the right man for the job.
"We are very fortunate to have someone of Bill's caliber take over the role of offensive coordinator,” Haley said. “Bill’s depth of experience, his championship success as a coach and as a coordinator is widely respected around the league, and he will serve our young and veteran players very well and provide critical continuity as we continue to develop on offense.”
Haley and Muir will enter their 10th season working together in 2011 - a relationship first forged with the New York Jets in 1995. The duo, along with current Chiefs assistant head coach Maurice Carthon, were offensive assistants on the Jets team that advanced to the 1998 AFC Championship Game and have extended much of that same offensive philosophy in Kansas City over the past two years.
Muir’s hiring will enable the Chiefs to build upon and continue forward with the offensive foundation developed over Haley’s first two seasons as head coach.
“Coach Muir has been a big part of what we’ve been able to do as an offense, so I’m excited about him taking over the coordinator role," said QB Matt Cassel. "As a quarterback and as an offense, continuity is important, and having someone with Coach Muir’s experience will help us continue to move forward in the right direction.”
Throughout his NFL coaching career, Muir has consistently provided a proven track record of developing offensive talent. That was clear again last season when Kansas City’s offensive line posted a number of significant improvements between years one and two of the program.
The offense improved upon 18 statistical categories in 2010, including increases in points scored (72 more), first downs (63 more), total yards (744 more) and a 29% decrease in sacks allowed (13 fewer).
The Chiefs also led the league in rushing for the first time since 1995, averaging 164.2 yards per game. Jamaal Charles(1,467) and Thomas Jones (896) combined to post the best rushing total (2,363) by NFL teammates in 2010 and the top total in Chiefs history.
Charles would go on to earn AP All-Pro and FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year honors.
In addition to serving his new role as offensive coordinator, Muir will maintain responsibilities as the Chiefs offensive line coach, working with assistant offensive line coach Pat Perles on the continued development of the group.
Muir’s NFL career began as a scout with Tampa Bay in 1978. He’s served seven different franchises as an offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, assistant head coach and offensive line coach since leaving the collegiate and non-NFL coaching ranks.
The Bill Muir File:
2009-11: Kansas City Chiefs – Offensive Line (2009-10); Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line (2011)
2002-08: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
1995-01: New York Jets – Offensive Line
1992-94: Philadelphia Eagles – Offensive Line
1989-91: Indianapolis Colts – Defensive Coordinator (1989-90); Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line (1991)
1985-88: Detroit Lions – Offensive Line
1982-84: New England Patriots – Offensive Line
1978-81: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Scout (1978); Pro Scout (1979-81)
1976-77: SMU – Offensive Line
1974-75: Houston/Shreveport (WFL) – Offensive Line
1972-73: Idaho State – Defensive Coordinator
1970-71: Rhode Island – Defensive Coordinator
1968-69: Orlando (Continental League) – Offensive Line
1966-67: Delaware Valley – Offensive/Defensive Line
1965: Susquehanna – Offensive/Defensive Line
