Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization
The Chiefs’ dynasty is powered by unique coaching stories that have shaped their championship runs. Andy Reid’s penchant for brief, focused team meetings keeps players engaged and motivated, while his belief in players teaching players builds lasting culture. Steve Spagnuolo’s intricate defensive schemes and relentless film work keep opponents on edge and his players eager to learn.
The mentorship of veterans like Travis Kelce, who sets the tone through extraordinary effort even in practice, inspires younger teammates to elevate their preparation. Collectively, these coaching approaches — whether challenging Mahomes with new plays, reinforcing the importance of maintaining an edge, or encouraging community service — have defined the Chiefs’ sustained excellence.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid celebrated with his wife, Tammy, after his team defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. He continued the celebration the next night at Pizza 51. By Nick Wagner
NO. 1: CHIEFS’ ANDY REID ENCOURAGES HIS PLAYERS TO DO CHARITABLE WORK WITH EACH OTHER
Chiefs coach Andy Reid talked about why charity work can make a difference in his players’ lives. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid answers questions from the media outside Scanlon Hall during the first day of Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western State University on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in St. Joseph. By Emily Curiel
NO. 2: ONE SECRET TO CHIEFS COACH ANDY REID’S SUCCESS: HOLDING SHORT TEAM MEETINGS
Chiefs coach Andy Reid on why he specifically holds short meetings with his team. | Published July 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes drops back to pass during a Dec. 31, 2023 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
NO. 3: HOW THE CHIEFS RECOGNIZED PATRICK MAHOMES’ ‘MAGICAL ABILITY’ BEFORE ANYONE ELSE
The Chiefs saw something special in Patrick Mahomes from the very beginning. Some of that story has been told ... but not all of it. | Published September 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo guides players through a warm up drill during practice at Chiefs training camp on Thursday, July 18, 2024, in St. Joseph. By Emily Curiel
NO. 4: CHIEFS’ JUSTIN REID PULLS BACK THE VEIL ON STEVE SPAGNUOLO’S MANY DEFENSIVE LOOKS
Chiefs safety Justin Reid shared a bit of what he calls the biggest defensive playbook he’s ever seen. | Published November 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Pete Grathoff
Kansas City Chiefs players celebrated with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) after Hopkins made a catch for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Emily Curiel
NO. 5: HOW THIS ‘TERRIBLE’ CHIEFS PRACTICE ROUTINE IS A HIDDEN KEY TO THEIR UNDEFEATED SEASON
The Chiefs’ top-10 offense is using a different formula than anyone else in the league. | Published November 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo high-fives fans during the Super Bowl Parade on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. By Kylie Graham
NO. 6: WHAT’S THE SECRET BEHIND STEVE SPAGNUOLO’S DEFENSE? WE ASKED 11 CHIEFS TO FIND OUT
The Chiefs trust in Spags. Here’s why. | Published November 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches his team play the Houston Texans during an AFC Divisional Round playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Tammy Ljungblad
NO. 7: FROM ‘ANDY WHO?’ TO MT. RUSHMORE OF COACHES: HOW CHIEFS’ ANDY REID WON 300 NFL GAMES
With his 300th win, Chiefs coach Andy Reid joins Don Shula, Bill Belichick and George Halas on the Mt. Rushmore of NFL coaches. | Published January 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vahe Gregorian
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine (34) dodges a tackle by Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) in the fourth quarter during the AFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Emily Curiel
NO. 8: THIS PLAY PUT CHIEFS IN 2025 SUPER BOWL. HERE’S WHY IT WAS ANDY REID’S ‘NO. 1 OPTION’
The Chiefs coach said he had one main goal during the timeout before the play. | Published January 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks at plays with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, center, and head coach Andy Reid against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Oct. 7, 2024. By Denny Medley
NO. 9: ANDY REID CALLED A PLAY FROM CHIEFS’ 1970 SUPER BOWL: ‘BRINGS SOME TEARS TO MY EYES’
Andy Reid dug into the Chiefs archives — 55 years ago — to find a play against the Bills in the AFC Championship Game. | Published January 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sam McDowell
Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo embraces safety Chamarri Conner (27) while walking off the field after the 23-14 victory against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round playoff game on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. By Emily Curiel
NO. 10: STEVE SPAGNUOLO’S CHIEFS BLITZES ARE LEGENDARY. THESE COACHES CAN TELL YOU WHY
What’s the secret to a perfect Steve Spagnuolo blitz? The Chiefs defensive coordinator can “pull something out of the sky.” | Published February 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shreyas Laddha and Jaylon Thompson
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid (left) celebrates with team owner Clark Hunt and the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium on Feb. 12, 2023. By Mark J. Rebilas
NO. 11: CHIEFS OWNER FEELS ANDY REID ISN’T ‘ANYWHERE CLOSE’ TO RETIRING. HERE’S WHY
Clark Hunt saw two big obstacles facing the Chiefs this preseason. Here’s how Andy Reid navigated both. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell
The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive play-calling system — from coach Andy Reid to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy to quarterback Patrick Mahomes — is a rarity in today’s NFL.
NO. 12: HOW ANDY REID & MATT NAGY CALL OFFENSIVE PLAYS FOR CHIEFS — AND WHY IT’S SO EFFECTIVE
Who calls the Chiefs’ plays? And why? Here’s an inside look. | Published February 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jesse Newell
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.