Tag: Brendan Daly

Giants’ options for defensive coordinator beginning to dwindle

The New York Giants have been thorough in their search for a new defensive coordinator but their options are beginning to dwindle.

After an ugly falling out between head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, the New York Giants were thrust into the hunt for a new DC.

Their search has been thorough but thus far, has yielded no fruit.

Earlier this week, general manager Joe Schoen said he’d like to have a DC in place over the coming days but that clock is ticking.

Nearly a month after the Giants and Martindale “parted ways,’ the Giants are still without a defensive coordinator and following a recent spate of hirings, their options are beginning to dwindle.

Giants interviewed Chiefs coach Brendan Daly for defensive coordinator job

The Giants have reportedly interviewed Chiefs linebackers coach Brendan Daly for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

The New York Giants have reportedly interviewed Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Brendan Daly for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

The news comes from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Daly, 48, began his NFL coaching career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2006 and has gone to work for the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots and Chiefs.

Daly has been a part of five Super Bowl championship teams — three in New England and two in Kansas City.

Daly is very familiar with the Giants’ current coaching staff. He worked alongside current Giants head coach Brian Daboll in New England and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka in Kansas City.

Daly served as a defensive line coach with the Rams, Vikings and Pats before joining the Chiefs in 2019, where he’s also served as defensive line coach and run-game coordinator before taking the linebackers coach role in 2022.

Prior to his stint in the NFL, Daly was a college coach for eight years.

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Chiefs rookie LB Leo Chenal eager for pads to come on at training camp

Rookie LB Leo Chenal is trying to stay in the moment, but he is also looking forward to the #Chiefs’ first padded practice of training camp. | from @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs rookies continue to get early reps at training camp, with a three-day minicamp before the veterans arrive.

The drills aren’t too intense for now as the focus is on conditioning and mastering the playbooks, but at least one rookie is looking forward to full contact soon. Third-round LB Leo Chenal has been viewed as a steal because of his aggressive playing style. The young linebacker wasted no time after being drafted to promote violence and physicality as a part of his mindset on the field.

During Sunday’s training camp practice, Chenal had an interception during team drills.

“Yeah, I definitely pride myself in the violence, physicality part,” said Chenal. “I love that part of the game. That’s football to me. But, with a more passing league now, it’s an opportunity to progress in that area. I just got to continue to learn, put myself in uncomfortable situations. That’s how you become a better football player.”

Chenal has the immediate energy needed to be a terror on defense and intimidate opponents. The aggression will have to wait at training camp as the team has a ramp-up period before they can put the pads on and participate in contact practices.

“Coach (Brendan) Daly told me like, ‘Oh, sorry, dude, it’s, we gotta wait till August 1.’ And I’m like, ‘Ah, geez, darn it.’” said Chenal. “But uh, you know, I’m not trying to look forward like that and trying to stay in the moment. But you know, it’s definitely exciting, you know, something to have on my calendar. It’s pretty cool.”

In 11 starts with the Badgers in 2021, Chenal posted 115 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles. He seems to relate to the mindset of the Chiefs’ defensive coaching staff and intends to bring that same violence and physicality he displayed at Wisconsin to Kansas City.

“I mean, football is football,” said Chenal. “I don’t think (it’s) anything unique. We know that we’ve got to be violent — the most violent — team on the field. So I don’t think (it’s) anything unique. Everybody knows that.”

The Chiefs clearly have another rookie who is motivated and ready to make an impact at the pro level.

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Brendan Daly details Chiefs LB Nick Bolton’s growth in Year 2

#Chiefs LB coach Brendan Daly spoke about Nick Bolton’s growth and how impressive he’s been so early in his career.

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Nick Bolton had a crash course in NFL linebacker play with the Kansas City Chiefs during his rookie season.

When Willie Gay Jr. suffered a toe injury during the preseason, Bolton stepped into his role seamlessly. Bolton filled in for an injured Anthony Hitchens at MIKE linebacker from Week 6 through Week 8. All in all his contributions were worthy of recognition as the team’s Mack Lee Hill Rookie of the Year winner over standouts on offense like Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith.

While Chiefs linebackers coach Brendan Daly was working with the defensive line last season, he was still in defensive meetings with Bolton. Daly came away impressed with what he saw back then, but now that he’s had some hands-on time with Bolton, he has come away quite impressed.

Daly detailed the growth that he’s seen in Bolton in a very short time while speaking to the media at OTAs last week.

“I would say this — I was very impressed with Nick (Bolton) a year ago — particularly from a mental standpoint,” Daly said. “He’s one of the people that the more you’re around them, the more impressed you become with them. He’s grown from a mental standpoint, he’s grown from a communication standpoint, he’s grown from a leadership standpoint. It’s been really fun to watch and impressive, to be honest. It’s pretty amazing the amount that he’s handling at such a young age. There are times I need to (remind myself) he’s only in his second year now. That’s been fun to see, it is.”

To receive such high praise from a coach that took over the position just a few months ago shows exactly how Bolton goes about his business. He’s already been able to show tangible growth in certain areas of his game from a season ago.

Bolton figures to be the Chiefs’ defensive signal-caller and MIKE linebacker in 2022. His growth in the mental aspect of the game, as a communicator and as a leader will enable him to follow up a successful rookie season with even greater levels of success.

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Chiefs’ Brendan Daly explains his move to linebackers coach

Brendan Daly’s move to #Chiefs linebackers coach is not so different from Greg Lewis’ move to running backs coach a year ago.

When former linebackers coach Matt House left the Kansas City Chiefs to become defensive coordinator at LSU, the team opted for an in-house replacement in Brendan Daly.

Daly had coached the defensive line in Kansas City for the past three seasons and was also named the defensive run game coordinator a season ago. Why the sudden change in heart with Daly deciding to switch coaching positions? Speaking to the media at OTAs last week, Daly revealed the factors that went into his decision.

“You know, there were a number of things,” Daly explained. “We lost a really good coach in Matt House. I was kind of interested in evolving a little bit, challenging myself in doing something that was a little bit out of my comfort zone. I think that’s how you get better. I think that’s how you grow and improve. That was a big part of it from my perspective. I felt like there were some things that I could add to the group and some continuity that we can maintain with that transition as opposed to having someone from the outside coming in. We were fortunate enough to bring Joe Cullen onto the staff who you just met with I think, and it all worked out really well. I’m excited about it.”

Daly has been coaching in the NFL since 2006 and defensive line coach is the extent of his coaching experience. It’s clear that he sought out a new challenge, actually approaching Andy Reid about making the switch himself.

“Brendan wanted to move on and try something new and he came to me with that,” Reid said. “I think that’s good. I did kind of the same thing with Greg Lewis on the offensive side. I think for these guys growing in their profession I think it’s important if you can do it, if you have that flexibility.”

Reid evoked Greg Lewis making the switch to running backs coach last season. This move is similar in the sense that it won’t only go a long way toward impacting Daly’s career in the future, but it should provide the coaching staff some flexibility should there be any unexpected absences on the staff.

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Chiefs DL coach Brendan Daly talks difficult, but worth-it departure from Patriots

The former Patriots coach is en route to his fifth consecutive Super Bowl run — not bad.

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Life as an NFL coach must be good when it involves five consecutive Super Bowl runs.

Brendan Daly, former New England Patriots defensive line coach, is on his second Super Bowl run with the Kansas City Chiefs — following three straight in New England. Daly joined the Patriots as a defensive assistant in 2014 and he’s now the Chiefs’ defensive line coach/run game coordinator.

Ahead of Super Bowl LV against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Daly spoke to reporters about his stint with the Patriots.

“My time in New England was a fantastic five years,” he said, transcribed by WEEI. “I really enjoyed the people there both fans and the people in the organization and the community. It was a tremendous learning experience for me from a football standpoint. Obviously we had a tremendous amount of success on the field, which was fantastic to be able to experience. A lot of great relationships with the people there – still do.

“You know, decisions in this profession are always difficult. That was not an easy one to be honest. It is what it is. It’s a decision that I decided to make and it’s been a great one for me. I’ve enjoyed my experience here in Kansas City.”

Daly took a second to step back and recognize the situation he’s currently in.

“I’m extremely fortunate and extremely thankful,” he said. “It doesn’t go unnoticed. I kind of pinch myself on a regular basis and am thankful to be coaching football at this time of year. There’s not many people who get to do it. It’s a fun game to be a part of. Every one of them is unique. It does not get old, I can promise you that. You work extremely hard to get to this point. It’s an honor and a privilege to get that opportunity. You’re right, I’m fortunate to be in it a number of times in a row here.

“All of them are different. All of them are unique. All of them have their challenges. But they’re a blast to be a part of, no doubt about that.”

Meanwhile, the Patriots went 7-9 this season without Brady at the helm and Bill Belichick is looking to quickly turn things back around. Brady on the other hand is going for Super Bowl win No. 7.

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Projecting the coaching staff if the Texans hire Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy

If the Houston Texans hire Kansas City Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy, here is what his coaching staff could look like.

One of the Houston Texans’ coaching targets is Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

If Bieniemy is the coach of the Texans, he will have to look at his previous coaching stops as he won’t be able to poach very many coaches from the current Kansas City staff. Think Bieniemy can bring Mike Kafka or Greg Lewis with him? Forget about it. Plus, the Texans seem intent on keeping Tim Kelly as offensive coordinator.

Here is a projection of what Bieniemy’s Texans staff could look like if he gets the job.

What does Brendan Daly expect from Chiefs DE Breeland Speaks in Year 3?

In Brendan Daly’s experience as a defensive line coach, Year 3 is the one where players define themselves.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Brendan Daly has some lofty expectations for Breeland Speaks in 2020.

Speaks was the Chiefs’ top draft pick in the 2018 NFL draft and he hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations attached to his draft status. In 2018, he was forced to play out of position as a 3-4 outside linebacker. This season was supposed to be a fresh start, but he suffered a knee injury that ended his season before it began. He was also suspended for four games during the course of his time on injured reserve. Now, Breeland will get another crack at turning things around.

“Breeland has done a nice job in terms of his rehab, in terms of working post-surgery, he’s had some good time in terms of recovery,” Daly told reporters on Thursday. “We’ll see. I’ve got high expectations for him. The third year, I’ve found over the course of my career, is a year that guys kind of define themselves in a lot of instances. Hopefully, we’re going to see that out of Breeland. I’ve got great anticipation and hope for what we’re going to see out of him when we can get back on the field.”

There’s a lot of questions that remain unanswered for Speaks. He faces some stiff competition from the likes of Taco Charlton, Mike Danna and Tim Ward. If he doesn’t make the type of progress that Daly is expecting in Year 3, he could be looking at one of those players taking his spot in the lineup.

At the same time, there’s also plenty of reason to be optimistic that this is the year that Speaks will be able to put everything together. It’s his second year under Steve Spagnuolo and Daly, working in a scheme he’s better suited for. He had a promising 2019 preseason before suffering his injury. If he can return to full health, motivated and in shape, there’s no reason why he can’t reach and perhaps exceed Daly’s expectations.

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Chiefs’ defensive line coach lauds Giants’ Joe Judge

Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Brendan Daly had nothing but the highest praise for New York Giants head coach Joe Judge.

It’s always good when people at the pinnacle of the business say something good about you. That’s what’s been happening to New York Giants incoming head coach Joe Judge.

Judge, a relatively obscure assistant on Bill Belichick’s staff in New England, has been getting rave reviews from coaches and players league-wide since being hired by the Giants to be their next head coach last month.

The latest coach to espouse the hiring of Judge is Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Brendan Daly, who worked alongside Judge in Foxborough for several seasons and just picked up another Super Bowl ring last Sunday.

“He has a great presence about him,” Daly told NJ Advance Media last week. “He has great leadership qualities. I think he’s a tremendous teacher of technique and fundamentals.

“I’m really excited for him to have the opportunity there. I think he’ll do well.”

And that is what drew the Giants to Judge. The last two coaching staffs did not do enough to push the long players along through teaching and the development has been slow.

Judge has stressed that not only will he be teaching as well as coaching but he has brought in a staff of like-minded men to do the same.

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Brendan Daly discusses departure from Patriots, saying he had no desire to leave

“I had no desire or anticipation to leave New England. I really didn’t”

For the fourth consecutive season, Brendan Daly will be coaching in the Super Bowl.

Daly was the New England Patriots defensive line coach since 2015 and transitioned to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots in his four seasons with the team, and championship No. 4 could potentially come to him in Super Bowl LIV.

Currently, it seems as if he’s made the right choice by leaving New England and joining the Chiefs. Daly didn’t feel that way after leaving last season and he spoke about his departure on Super Bowl LIV Opening Night.

“I had no desire or anticipation to leave New England. I really didn’t,” Daly said. “And to be honest, it was a very difficult decision for me. That’s a hard place to leave. It really was, particularly after the success we had there and the relationships and the people. But there were a number of things that lined up all at the same time that led me here.”

The relationships built and culture in New England made it difficult to leave, but Kansas City is an ideal place to land at.

“It was a very difficult decision for me,” Daly continued. “My time there was so special, and my respect for Coach (Bill) Belichick and the organization and the people there is second to none. There were a lot of factors and a lot of things that kind of happened at the right time in the right situation, and here I am. I’m happy to be here. I’m excited about the opportunity to play in this game again, for sure.”

He discussed the changes he’s had to adjust to with the Chiefs.

“Obviously, your responsibilities, what you’re asked to do in terms of game-plan, in terms of day-to-day things have changed a little bit,” Daly said. “A lot of it is similar. I think just understanding how the organization operates and what the head coach wants, there’s certainly some differences there. Your role changes, and that’s your duty as an assistant coach is to figure out what the head coach wants and what the coordinators want and then do the best that you can to accommodate that.”

He has a tall task against the San Francisco 49ers and their running back committee. The 49ers were ranked No. 2 in rushing yards per game in the regular season with 144, and they’re No. 1 in the postseason with a whopping 236.

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