Gunther Cunningham hired by the Lions as their DC (1 Viewer)

[Foosball God]

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The Lions hired Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinator

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- New Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz made his first major staff hire Wednesday, bringing in veteran assistant Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinator.

The two previously worked together as assistants on Jeff Fisher's staff in Tennessee. Schwartz was defensive coordinator under Fisher this past season, when the Titans posted an NFL-best 13-3 record with a defense that ranked second in points allowed.

Cunningham, a 40-year coaching veteran on the college and pro levels, was Kansas City's head coach from 1999-2000 and the Chiefs' defensive coordinator in 1995-98 and from 2004 through this past season.

He'll set about trying to fix one of the league's worst defenses, one of the big reasons Detroit didn't win a game last season.

Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

Cunningham also has served as an assistant with the Raiders, Chargers and Colts in the NFL and California, Stanford, Arkansas and Oregon in the college ranks.

KC's defense wasn't great shakes, why Cunningham?

 

[Da Guru]

I am disappointed already.

Colleto and Cunningham are both in their mid-sixties. Nothing against that in the right situation, but I was hope for a young defensive Guru.

 

[ericttspikes]

will he wear his yellow hunting glasses in the dome?

 

[massraider]

will he wear his yellow hunting glasses in the dome?

They don't call him 'Gun' for nothing.

 

[SuperJohn96]

Link

The Lions hired Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinator

ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- New Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz made his first major staff hire Wednesday, bringing in veteran assistant Gunther Cunningham as defensive coordinator.

The two previously worked together as assistants on Jeff Fisher's staff in Tennessee. Schwartz was defensive coordinator under Fisher this past season, when the Titans posted an NFL-best 13-3 record with a defense that ranked second in points allowed.

Cunningham, a 40-year coaching veteran on the college and pro levels, was Kansas City's head coach from 1999-2000 and the Chiefs' defensive coordinator in 1995-98 and from 2004 through this past season.

He'll set about trying to fix one of the league's worst defenses, one of the big reasons Detroit didn't win a game last season.

Terms of his contract were not disclosed.

Cunningham also has served as an assistant with the Raiders, Chargers and Colts in the NFL and California, Stanford, Arkansas and Oregon in the college ranks.

KC's defense wasn't great shakes, why Cunningham?

Great shakes?29th Pts/G

31nd Yds/G

30th Rush Yds/G

26th Pass Yds/G

17th (Tied) Interceptions (13)

17th (Tied) Interceptions (13)

8th Forced Fumbles (18)

32nd Sacks (10)

The only defense worse than the Detroit Lions in 2008, were the Kansas City Chiefs.

Did they hire him to move up from worst to 2nd worst defense?

 

[JuSt CuZ]

Really guys?

Do you think with a defensive guy like Shwartz in town that Gun is gonna have much say n e ways?

 

[Wyld Stallyns]

Despite KC's bad defense, I think this is a good hire. The guy has been around and knows his stuff. Also, Schwartz is a defensive minded guy and he's worked with Cunningham in the past – so the benefit of the head coach being on the same page and clicking with his defensive coordinator can't be understated.

 

[PatrickT]

Don't know alot about Gunther, but I don't think I'd judge him on last season, the KC D was one of the youngest in the league, wasn't it?

 

[greenf7cat]

He was awful the past two years in KC. He didn't use his personnel to their strengths. He took over LB's coach in 2008 and that went steadily downhill (injuries did play a role though). I am glad to see him gone from KC!

He allowed Krumrie (DL coach) to completely misuse Glenn Dorsey all year long!

 

[PahtyTom]

I would trust anything Schwartz does in regards to defensive decisions.

 

[tones]

Give the HC and DC a chance. They have LOTS of opportunities to teach - both the players and the positional coaches. One of the positional coaches will be groomed for DC. I suspect the same for OC. Look for coaches who have a track record of success AND fit the HC style. Oh and hope he has the time to build something like his good friend BB in NE.

As BAD as they were last year they had chances to win 4/5 games in the 4th quarter with not a lot of talent. They need to learn to finish and NOT wait for the other team to make a play.

 

[MDSkinner]

As a person who lives in KC but is not a fan of KC I would say that this is a good hire by Detroit. Do not look at Gunther just from the perspective of this past year, look at all of the times that he has been a defensive coordinator. Back in the mid 90's Gunther headed up some of the best defenses in the league during that period.

 

[BobbyLayne]

As a person who lives in KC but is not a fan of KC I would say that this is a good hire by Detroit. Do not look at Gunther just from the perspective of this past year, look at all of the times that he has been a defensive coordinator. Back in the mid 90's Gunther headed up some of the best defenses in the league during that period.

During his original tenure as KC defensive coordinator (1995-98), Cunningham's defenses allowed an average of only 16.4 points per game, the best mark in the NFL and had a turnover margin of +30, tops in the AFC.I think it's mostly about comfort level. After he got fired as KC HC (1999-00), he coached the Titans LBs the first 3 years Schwartz was Tennessee DC. "We've worked well together, we're of the same mind on a lot of things," Schwartz said. "And his intensity, probably the best way I can describe it is, every minute of every day is fourth down-and-1 to Gunther. We're gonna need that kind of attitude." Still, he hasn't done much the last 5 years...and my first thought was "isn't that guy like 75". I was suprised he'll be "only 63" when camp opens.