Tag: andy heck

Former Notre Dame great wins Super Bowl as assistant coach

Andy Heck had one…heck of a football career as a player. Now the former Notre Dame great has won two Super Bowls as an assistant coach!

Was it defensive holding or was it not? Should a flag have been thrown?  That’s what everyone is asking this Monday after the Kansas City Chiefs took advantage of the extended Super Bowl halftime to get Patrick Mahomes healthy to continue playing and find a flaw in the Eagles defense.

As a result the Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in the last four years after appearing in their third in that time. Congratulations are in order for former Notre Dame great and 1988 national champion Andy Heck as well.  Heck is the Chiefs’ offensive line coach, a position he has held since 2013.

Heck clearly had a big halftime as the entire game changed and the Chiefs were able to move ball far more effectively after the break. Part of that was Mahomes getting nursed back to health, but another part was in handling the Eagles incredible pressure.

This is the second Super Bowl Heck has won as an offensive line coach, the first coming in the 2019 season with the Chiefs.  Heck starred for the Irish as a member of the ’88 champions before becoming a first-round pick of the Seahawks and ultimately playing 12 seasons in the NFL.

Below are a few of the best photos of Andy Heck through the years:

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Super Bowl LVII: How the Chiefs erased the Eagles’ NFL-best pass rush

How did the Chiefs erase the Eagles’ NFL-best pass rush in Super Bowl LVII? Great performances, and a lot of help from Philly DC Jonathan Gannon.

Without question, the one matchup in Super Bowl LVII that seemed to favor one team at the expense of the other was the Philadelphia Eagles’ outside pass rush against Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie. The Eagles had three different edge-rushers (Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat) with more than 10 sacks on the season, and no tackles had allowed more total pressures on the season than Brown with 56, and Wylie with 53.

But in this 38-35 Chiefs win, Mahomes wasn’t sacked once on 27 passing attempts. The Eagles had five quarterback hits, and there were pressures that ended Kansas City drives, but this was one of just six games this season that Mahomes was not sacked.

“It’s historical,” Brown said after the game. “What we’ve been able to do is historical. “Credit to [head] Coach [Andy] Reid, credit to [offensive line] Coach [Andy] Heck, Pat, all the receivers in hand-to-hand, it’s historical what this front five was able to do. Pat winning MVP, and I’m standing here as a Super Bowl champion… I mean, it’s the work we put in.”

Historical might be a bit of a stretch, but it was undeniably impressive. How did it happen? Mahomes’ clean jersey resulted from a combination of the Chiefs doing things the right way, and the Eagles’ defense, led by defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, going away from the things that made them so effective all season long.

Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck provides update on OT Lucas Niang

The #Chiefs have been easing OT Lucas Niang back following a major knee injury last season. Here’s the latest on his progress from OL coach Andy Heck:

The Kansas City Chiefs activated OT Lucas Niang from the reserve/PUP list back on Nov. 23. The third-round draft pick in 2020 out of TCU suffered a serious knee injury in Week 17 of the 2021 NFL season and was placed on injured reserve.

Niang has been working his way back to health ever since, working to get his knee healthy, but also losing weight and getting fit. The Chiefs have taken the cautious approach of easing him back into action in his return to the active roster. While Niang was activated ahead of the Week 12 tilt with the Los Angeles Rams, he hasn’t returned to the starting lineup for Kansas City quite yet.

The 6-6 and 315-pound tackle has played special teams in each of the last three games with 17 total snaps as a protector on field goals and extra points. In Week 13 against the Bengals — the same team he injured his knee against — Niang got his first snap on offense as an extra blocker.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck provided an update on the progress he’s seen from Niang in his return to action.

“It’s good to have Lucas (Niang) back and working,” Heck told reporters on Wednesday. “I think he looks great. One of the things that we love about him is his athleticism, especially for such a big man. His feet look tremendous, his pass sets – he’s picked up right where he’s left off, he’s stayed into it mentally and been in all of our meetings, (he’s) a super sharp guy. I like the work that he’s been putting in, (he) looks good.”

The Chiefs aren’t expected to make any changes at the offensive tackle position in the immediate future, despite the high number of pressures surrendered by their starters at left and right tackle. Niang figures to be depth at the position for the time being. He has been working consistently as the second-team right tackle in pre-game warmups since his return from injury.

In the long term, there still seems to be faith from the front office and coaching staff that Niang can be a quality starter. It’s just a matter of staying healthy and getting the opportunity to show it.

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Darian Kinnard’s future with Chiefs could be at guard position

#Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck provided an intriguing update on rookie Darian Kinnard’s growth this season.

Kansas City Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck provided an intriguing update on rookie OL Darian Kinnard on Thursday.

Coming out of the 2022 NFL draft, the sense seemed to be that the team would start Kinnard at the position he played in college (right tackle) and go from there. While other NFL clubs told him they viewed him as a guard, the Chiefs wanted to at least give Kinnard a shot at tackle. He received the majority of his snaps during the offseason program at right tackle, but he always knew in the back of his mind he had to be prepared to play any spot.

On the team’s opening depth chart, Kinnard was listed as a second-string right tackle behind Andrew Wylie. He still hasn’t moved from that spot on the depth chart, but with the return of Lucas Niang, Heck says that Kinnard has been getting more and more work at the guard position.

“(Darian) Kinnard, really has grown – we’ve seen him grow,” Heck said. “He played the tackle position and then we’ve been getting him some more guard work. I think he’s got that kind of flex to whether he can play either or, but he’s taken to that guard position in there and looks great.”

Kinnard has contributed the least amount of the Chiefs’ rookie draft class, with just six snaps on special teams so far this season, but that doesn’t mean he’s not making good progress. Given Heck’s comments, it sounds like Kinnard’s future with the team might be on the interior offensive line, with the ability to flex out and play tackle in a pinch. A role that is reminiscent of what Andrew Wylie played for the team prior to his promotion to right tackle.

It’d likely take a few injuries for Kinnard to see the field this season, but with both Joe Thuney and Trey Smith dinged up at various points of the year, it’s good to have the rookie on his toes and ready to contribute.

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Chiefs rookie Darian Kinnard is preparing to play multiple offensive line positions

#Chiefs rookie OL Darian Kinnard says he’s preparing to play any position on the offensive line, including left tackle. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs made an effort to provide depth at several positions this offseason. The majority of players drafted in April were on the defensive side of the ball, with a few exceptions.

Darian Kinnard, a fifth-round draft pick out of the University of Kentucky, was one of those exceptions. He boasts impressive size and quickness, but he played the right tackle position for the majority of his career. In the NFL with the Chiefs, Kinnard is preparing to play multiple positions along the offensive line.

Versatility is always needed, and according to Kinnard, he’s no exception.

“I’ve just got to be prepared to play any position,” said Kinnard. “I got reps there at right (tackle). But who knows, he could come to me tomorrow since we don’t have a left tackle right now. . . So I’m just out here working whatever position he wants me to walk in and get ready.”

The current situation with Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has opened up opportunities for Kinnard to potentially fill in at left tackle. With only rookies and select veterans in attendance during the early portions of training camp, Kinnard has taken repetitions at both tackle and guard spots.

“I mean, right now, I’m playing whatever position I need to play at,” said Kinnard. “Coach (Andy) Heck, put in my head, you know, get reps at either. I’m not going to be very valuable if I only play one position. If I’m only specified at one position, he wants to have the confidence to come up to me at the end of the day and say, ‘Play guard.’ I’ll play guard. But just learning, one day at a time.”

Kinnard is a prospect that could see plenty of time on the field in relief or as a starter should he perform well in training camp. If Brown Jr. holds out, it could open an opportunity for Kinnard as he continues to grow and learn.

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2 Chiefs assistant coaches to miss Week 13 vs. Broncos due to COVID protocols

#Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck and defensive quality control coach Alex Whittingham will miss Week 13 against the #Broncos due to the NFL’s COVID protocols.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be missing a pair of assistant coaches when they face the Denver Broncos on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 13. The team announced on Saturday that both offensive line coach Andy Heck and defensive quality control coach Alex Whittingham will miss the game after being placed in the league’s COVID-19 protocols.

Heck is in his ninth season as the offensive line coach in Kansas City. He’ll be replaced by assistant offensive line coach Corey Matthaei, who is currently in his fourth season in that role. It’ll be something to monitor given the situation at right tackle with Lucas Niang ruled out of the game. Matthaei could have to make some personnel decisions during the game.

As for Whittingham, the team says his responsibilities will be absorbed by multiple members of the defensive staff.  He is in his third season as a defensive quality control coach and his fourth season with the team.

This is the first time this season that any coaches will have missed a game for Kansas City due to COVID or otherwise. Chiefs HC Andy Reid commented on his staff and their vaccination rate back in July.

“100 percent of the staff, they’ve all been vaccinated,” Reid said. “So that’s a positive.”

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Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck oozes pride for rookie C Creed Humphrey’s performance

#Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck evoked former RT Mitchell Schwartz when talking about Creed Humphrey’s performance and football IQ. | from @TheJohnDillon

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Grasping for any bright spots to be found in their disappointing start to the 2021 season, the Kansas City Chiefs need to look no further than rookie Creed Humphrey’s outstanding performance in the early part of the season. He has served as an anchor on the team’s rebuilt offensive front, grading out as the best center in the league according to Pro Football Focus.

Offensive line coach Andy Heck gave Humphrey a glowing review in his comments to the media ahead of Thursday’s practice. He complimented every part of his skillset and remarking on how impressive his acclimation to the pro game has been.

“Creed (Humphrey) has done a great job,” Heck said. “I think one of the best things besides being a big, strong, physically talented guy is he’s very smart. He’s a smart football player, he’s a smart person and he’s got a high football IQ. So, he’s able to really take in a lot of information and he’s got it on the first shot. He’s got good vision.

“As you’re learning different coverages and different disguises and things like that, he’s able to take something you’re describing to him, picture it in his head and then recognize it when he sees it on film as opposed to many of us might need to have that described, see it on tape, see it in a walkthrough, miss it once in practice and then get it. He gets it right away and that really helps him play fast and strong quicker.”

Asked if he had ever seen the kind of breakout performances Humphrey has turned out in recent weeks, Heck put the rookie in some great company for a player whose meteoric rise is still gaining momentum.

“Sure,” He explained. “You take a guy like Mitch Schwartz, a lot of quarterbacks—I’ve been around some players—but it’s few and far between, and it’s definitely an A-plus strength of Creed’s.”

Still early in his Chiefs career, Humphrey is already becoming a fan favorite for his efforts to keep Patrick Mahomes on his feet on Sundays. With a few more solid performances in the coming weeks, Humphrey could find himself in contention for a Pro Bowl or All-Pro selection, even if the team around him continues to underperform.

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Andy Heck explains what he wants to see from Chiefs’ offensive line in preseason Week 2

#Chiefs OL coach Andy Heck continues to evaluate his offensive line and there are two things he’s looking for in preseason Week 2. | from @EdEastonJr

As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for their second preseason game on Friday, the coaching staff has continued to evaluate last Saturday’s performance.

All eyes were on the offensive line as expected heading into San Francisco, and the immediate evaluation process is well underway by offensive line coach Andy Heck. The veteran assistant coach is well aware that the target of criticism for the Super Bowl LV loss was due to the offensive line’s struggles. It led to an offseason focus on rebuilding the unit, with the Chiefs acquiring Pro Bowler Orlando Brown Jr, veteran Joe Thuney and drafting high-level prospects Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey.

During Saturday’s preseason opener, Heck got the first glimpse at his starters and depth players. Several of the depth players moved around and played different spots, which provided Heck with a unique view of their abilities.

“It’s extremely valuable for two reasons,” said Heck of playing players at different positions. “One, it gives us an opportunity to evaluate guys. Look, if they’re not a starter, they’re going to have to be able to do multiple jobs like play guard and tackle, center and guard. Then, the other thing is it gives them an opportunity to show their best. Maybe he’s a little bit better at this position than that, but we’ve got to train him at something that maybe he’s not as strong at. But at the same time, we want him to show out and put his best foot forward.”

One potentially special talent on the offensive line is former 2020 NFL draft selection Lucas Niang. He opted out of last season with concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of his opt-out, Niang is virtually a rookie.

Niang has received starting repetitions at right tackle while Mike Remmers dealt with a back injury. While Heck isn’t ready to name him the starter, Niang is a player that is on his radar.

”Yeah, we’re a ways away from anointing anybody, but I would say that Lucas (Niang) has definitely demonstrated the physical abilities,” said Heck. “He’s everything we hoped for in a draft pick there. He’s a big, athletic guy that will use his hands well in protection. He’s off to a great start. I will say, we’ve got a lot of competition here in this group.”

Another player from that same draft has hopes of making the Chiefs’ final roster. Prince Tega Wanogho was a 2020 sixth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles. He latched on to Kansas City during the playoff run last season and has been impressive during training camp. He had a tremendous performance during last Saturday’s victory, one that caught the attention of the veteran coach.

”I was very pleased with his outing,” said Heck. ”I thought he stepped up. He did a nice job in protection in particular. He used his hands well and made the most of his opportunity.”

The outcomes of the preseason games don’t matter much, but coaches like Heck hope to see what they’ve taught come to in life games. The constant evaluation during these games is essential in the final roster’s formation. With the next preseason game on deck, Heck has two things that he’s looking for from both starters and depth players in his unit.

”I’d say one thing we’d love to see is great compete and finish establishing that physical presence that we want to be about on Sundays,” said Heck. “Then, the other thing is just consistency as a group. Good communication and just operate efficiently as a group.”

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Chiefs’ Daniel Kilgore, Nick Allegretti, Mike Remmers receive high praise from position coach

When the offensive line performs well, everyone is happy, especially OL coach Andy Heck.

The projected starting offensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs this year was much different from the group the team had out on the field during the second offensive drive of the Week 6 game against the Buffalo Bills. Opt-outs, injuries and more have drastically altered the depth of this group this season, providing opportunities to some players who might not have received them beforehand.

Three players, in particular, received opportunities on Monday. Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck was asked about his impressions of his rearranged offensive front and their performance.

“We had a couple of guys step in and play spots that they hadn’t really practiced that particular week,” Heck told reporters on Thursday. “But that said, they had practiced making those sorts of blocks all through training camp, all through the spring, albeit virtually this year. The point being, we feel comfortable that if guys are going in, whether they’re reaching right, reaching left, playing a right-handed stance or a left-handed stance, it doesn’t really matter. These guys have done the stuff before and so we don’t skip a beat.”

Mike Remmers, Daniel Kilgore and Nick Allegretti all rose to the occasion, with a record performance on the ground for an Andy Reid-coached team. Kilgore notched his first start with the Chiefs in Week 6, marking his 57th career start. Heck was very impressed, not only by what Kilgore did in the game but by his preparation leading up to it.

“First on Daniel (Kilgore), here’s a guy, another veteran, experienced player,” Heck said. “He’s played a lot of ball, and he’s a guy I’ve been a fan of since I worked him out at App State way back when. So, I was familiar with Daniel, and then he gets in the building and really has A-plus talent, his leadership ability, his communication skills, his love for the game, and so we knew we’d get that. And then he’s been here through the better part of camp leading up to this, and so in watching him and his preparation, I felt like he got his wind, he’s got his conditioning that he could give us a little spark in there.”

As for Allegretti, the second-year Chief received high praise for his toughness. Heck wouldn’t commit to Allegretti being in there again this week, but with Mitchell Schwartz on the injury report, Allegretti’s first career start seems imminent.

“One thing you know you’re going to get with Nick is an all-out, tough, gritty performance,” Heck said. “And that’s what he gave us, and I thought he did a nice job.”

Finally, Heck spoke about Remmers, who is perhaps the most versatile piece the Chiefs have. He’s playing the Cam Erving role in Kansas City and seeing much more success doing so.

“We’re really glad to have Mike here,” Heck said. “Absolutely fortunate to have him here. Having a guy that has the ability to play left and right guard and tackle is very valuable in this league. And on top of that, he’s an experienced veteran and he’s a tough nut. We love the way he goes after it, plays the game, the versatility. We’ve had that in the past with guys like Cam Erving, so to have Mike here to replace that for us has been huge.”

Fans across the Chiefs Kingdom are wondering if the offensive line’s performance in Week 6 is sustainable. For Heck, the answer to that question lies within the week of practice. If the offensive line room continues to prepare as they did against the Bills in Week 6, they’ll continue to reap the benefits on the field.

“I did think the guys did a nice job with that, and really, and we preach this all the time, what makes that happen is your preparation,” Heck said. “You prepare to win, and I thought they had particularly good preparation that week from top to bottom, every man. Whether it was showing for our defense or executing our game plan, I thought they prepared the right way, and then it showed up on Sunday, and that’s usually how it works.”

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Chiefs’ Andy Heck sees potential in versatile 2020 offensive line group

Chiefs offensive line coach Andy Heck shares how what he expects from his offensive line in 2020.

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Andy Heck has been with the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive line coach since 2013. He was brought in by Andy Reid and has been an integral part of the resurgence of the Chiefs.

Coach Heck recently shared some insights on how the offensive line has grown this offseason and how the newest additions, Mike Remmers and Kelechi Osemele, are performing.

“Brett Veach and his staff of course always do a great job of bringing us quality football players, guys who are going to be competitive,” Heck told reporters on Thursday. “The thing that I love about these two players is you have experience, they’ve played a lot of good football, and both of them love football. I think if you asked the team here, it’s that we’re collecting guys who love to play football

“I’m really impressed. I’ve been a big fan of his just watching him play. He’s a very physical football player. As I mentioned earlier, he’s a guy who loves the game. It’s obvious to everyone who watches him. That’s infectious and it’s great for our group. He’s fitting in terrifically.”

Starting left tackle Eric Fisher has played his entire career with Coach Heck. Fisher recently suffered a concussion and is currently in the NFL’s concussion protocol which has raised some questions about the versatility and depth of the offensive line.

“Rick [Burkholder] is working with the Fish,” Heck said. “We’ll get him back whenever he’s ready and whenever that is, he’s working there at the left tackle spot. We’ve got some young guys working at the tackle spot in Greg Senat and Jackson Barton. We also have other guys who have positional flexibility. That’s something that I really like to train into guys whether they’re playing guard or tackle. We’re just looking for the best five, best seven, the guys who are going to make this roster”

New guys playing in new places is typically something that takes time, especially among offensive linemen, due to the constant communication it takes for success.

“You definitely need to build chemistry and trust between O-linemen,” Heck explained. “I view it maybe a little differently than some because I feel like we’re all in this rowboat together, we’re all pulling in one direction, we need to get to know every guy in that room. Whether I’m playing left guard or right tackle, it doesn’t really matter to me, I’m going to be combination blocking with somebody, I need to get to know all of these guys.

“I really believe in building versatility and not making a big deal out of that. We have a good group of guys that love to play ball together, they don’t flinch when you say, ‘hey, go work over there, go work over here.’ It’s the next man up. That’s what I love about this group.”

While Osemele and Remmers are improving every day with their new team, Andrew Wylie is embarking on his third season with the Chiefs. The young lineman has been a staple of the offensive line, on the interior and even at tackle, throughout his time.

“I’ve been a big fan of Andrew’s since he got here,” Heck said. “The guy shows versatility, toughness, and he’s gotten better every year that he’s been here. We’ve got him working in there at guard and he’s off to a good start, along with some other guys. He’s now a couple of years into our system, he’s played a lot of ball for us. I feel like he’s picking up the finer points, but he’s off and running and off to a great start.”

Coach Heck’s son, Charlie, who played his college ball for North Carolina, was drafted by the Houston Texans in the 2020 NFL Draft. It is always a proud moment for a father who played in the league for as long as Andy Heck did to see his son’s dreams realized. The Chiefs open up the season against Houston in Kansas City which should be a big moment for the Heck family.

“Charlie is off to a good start there in Houston,” Heck said. “I ask him to give me one play you’d want to have over again, so I just do a little bit of coaching there. He’s got great coaches down there. I’m looking forward to competing against him. My wife is going to be a bit nervous, but I’m looking forward to it.”

The offensive line play is more important than ever with a rookie running back and the importance of keeping Patrick Mahomes healthy. The Chiefs offense likes to move guys around and put playmakers in the best possible scenario to succeed. The offensive line under Heck’s tutelage has the same approach and mentality.

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