Ex-Pats Midwest Reunion: Romeo Crennel Joins Charlie Weis In K.C.

Romeo Crennel Agrees To Terms With Chiefs To Become Defensive Coordinator

As expected, Romeo Crennel has come to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs to become their new defensive coordinator, according to Jason La Confora of NFL.com.

Former New England defensive coordinator Crennel will join other former Patriots Charlie Weis and Scott Pioli, both of whom Crennel worked with during his tenure in New England, as well as quarterback Matt Cassel, as the Chiefs continue to rebuild themselves in the Patriots’ image.

The Chiefs are reportedly “in the process” of firing former defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast, so Crennel will not officially join the team until after the Super Bowl, for contractual reasons. Aside from current linebackers coach Garry Gibbs, Crennel is expected to bring in new defensive assistants.

Romeo Crennel Expected To Be Named Chiefs' Defensive Coordinator

Kansas City appears to be continuing its attempts at becoming New England-lite. The Chiefs are expected to name Romeo Crennel defensive coordinator in the next few days.

Chiefs’ GM Scott Pioli has now brought in both Charlie Weis and Crennel, who served together as coordinators for the Patriots from 2001-2004, to work the same positions in Kansas City, as well as a number of players from New England. Next the Chiefs will petition to officially change the name of the city of Kansas City to Foxboro, put a big razor on the 50 yard line at Arrowhead Stadium and change their colors to red, white and blue.

Crennel, who will replace Clancy Pendergast as defensive coordinator, will be charged with improving the league’s 30th ranked defense.

While Pioli has been successful in shaping the Chiefs out of the mold that worked for him in New England, he still lacks one key element of his success with Patriots: A talented roster.

For more on Crennel and everything Chiefs, check out our Kansas City Chiefs’ blog, Arrowhead Pride.

Chiefs Evolving Into Patriots Of The Midwest

With Charlie Weis on board as Kansas City's new offensive coordinator, the Chiefs are evolving into a great team. Or, at least, they’re evolving into the old New England Patriots.

Similarities are found from the top of the roster to the bottom:

Scott Pioli, general manager (vice president of player personnel for the Patriots from 2002-2008)

Charlie Weis, offensive coordinator (Patriots’ OC from 2000-2004)

Matt Cassell, quarterback

Matt Gutierrez, quarterback

Ryan O’Callaghan, offensive lineman

Mike Vrabel, linebacker

Now they just need to do that “win a Super Bowl” thing to finish off the evolution.

Charlie Weis Is The New Offensive Coordinator Of The Chiefs

Charlie Weis did not have to spend much time in the unemployment line. The former head coach at Notre Dame has accepted an offer to become the new offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs, reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

This reunites Weis with Chiefs' head coach Todd Haley, with whom he worked with when the two were assistants with the Jets, and also with general manager Scott Pioli form their days working together in New England. In his final press conference of the season on Wednesday, Haley said that Weis would be a great fit with the team. 

"Charlie would allow us to run the offense we're running if he were in this mix,'' Haley said. ''I will do everything I can to get the best, bright football minds in a position to help us. Charlie is a bright football mind who I have first-hand experience with. He would be a guy I would consider.

''I would ultimately like to have someone in here to run the offense. That will allow me to achieve my idea of what the most efficient way to run the team is, which is as the head coach. What's most important to me in getting to some of these decisions is fit. We made some major changes in this offense at the beginning of the year. There's tangible evidence this team made very good progress and it showed down the stretch especially.''

Charlie Weis Reportedly Contacted By Bills, Has Interest In Buffalo's Head Coaching Vacancy

Recently fired ex-Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis has been contacted by the Buffalo Bills about their vacancy at the head coach position, according to WIVB-TV. The report indicates that Weis is interested in the position, although the two sides are not yet engaged in any formal discussions.

Weis was a candidate for the Bills opening at head coach back in 2004, but the team ultimately went with Mike Mularkey, who coached the team for two unsuccessful seasons. Weis also has plenty of experience in the AFC East, serving as the offensive coordinator for the Patriots for five seasons under Bill Belichick and the Jets under Bill Parcells prior to that.

For more on the report and fan discussion about the possibility of the Bills hiring Weis, head over to Buffalo Rumblings.