Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach history
David Merritt, Sr.
Merritt, Sr. is the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs since the 2019 season, a total of six years. Merritt, Sr.'s record as the team's defensive backs coach was 76-21-0, making him the most successful defensive backs coach in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs five times (2019-2023) and had a 14-2 record under Coach Merritt, Sr. in playoff games. In 2019, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV and the Chiefs, under the direction of head coach Andy Reid, won 31-20. In 2020, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV and the Chiefs, under the direction of head coach Andy Reid, lost 9-31. In 2022, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII and the Chiefs, under the direction of head coach Andy Reid, won 38-35. In 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII and the Chiefs, under the direction of head coach Andy Reid, won 25-22.
Sam Madison
Madison was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 season. Madison's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 11-5-0, making him the second-most successful defensive backs coach in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2021) and had a 2-1 record under Coach Madison in playoff games.
Emmitt Thomas
Thomas was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2010-2018 seasons, a total of nine years. The team made it to the playoffs six times (2010, 2013, 2015-2018) and had a 2-6 record under Coach Thomas in playoff games.
David Alexander Gibbs
Gibbs was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2006-2008 seasons, a total of three years. Gibbs' record as the team's defensive backs coach was 15-33-0, making him the least successful defensive backs coach in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2006) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Gibbs in playoff games.
Peter Giunta
Giunta was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2001-2005 seasons, a total of five years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2003) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Giunta in playoff games.
Willie Shaw
Shaw was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2000 season.
Ron Zook
Zook was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1999 season.
Kurt Schottenheimer
Schottenheimer was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1995-1998 seasons, a total of four years. The team made it to the playoffs two times (1995, 1997) and had a 0-2 record under Coach Schottenheimer in playoff games.
Herman Edwards
Edwards was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1992-1995 seasons, a total of four years. Edwards' record as the team's defensive backs coach was 43-21-0, making him the third-most successful defensive backs coach in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs four times (1992-1995) and had a 2-4 record under Coach Edwards in playoff games.
Tony Dungy
Dungy was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1989-1991 seasons, a total of three years. The team made it to the playoffs two times (1990-1991) and had a 1-2 record under Coach Dungy in playoff games.
Tom Bettis
Bettis was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1966-1977, 1988 seasons, a total of thirteen years. The team made it to the playoffs four times (1966, 1968-1969, 1971) and had a 4-3 record under Coach Bettis in playoff games. In 1966, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I and the Chiefs, under the direction of head coach Hank Stram, lost 10-35. In 1969, the Kansas City Chiefs faced off against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV and the Chiefs, under the direction of head coach Hank Stram, won 23-7.
Douglas Graber
Graber was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1983-1986 seasons, a total of four years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1986) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Graber in playoff games.
Bud Carson
Carson was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1983 season. Carson's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 6-10-0, making him the second-least successful defensive backs coach in Kansas City Chiefs history.
Walt Corey
Corey was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1981-1982 seasons, a total of two years.
Dick Roach
Roach was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1978-1980 seasons, a total of three years. Roach's record as the team's defensive backs coach was 19-29-0, making him the third-least successful defensive backs coach in Kansas City Chiefs history.
Tom Catlin
Catlin was the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960-1965 seasons, a total of six years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1962) and had a 1-0 record under Coach Catlin in playoff games.
Ed Hughes
Hughes was the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Texans in the 1960-1962 seasons, a total of three years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1962) and had a 1-0 record under Coach Hughes in playoff games.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach record
| Coach | Years | Record | Win percentage | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Merritt, Sr. | 2019-2024 | 76-21-0 | 78.4% | 14-2 |
| Sam Madison | 2021 | 11-5-0 | 68.8% | 2-1 |
| Emmitt Thomas | 2010-2018 | 84-60-0 | 58.3% | 2-6 |
| David Alexander Gibbs | 2006-2008 | 15-33-0 | 31.3% | 0-1 |
| Peter Giunta | 2001-2005 | 44-36-0 | 55.0% | 0-1 |
| Willie Shaw | 2000 | 7-9-0 | 43.8% | 0-0 |
| Ron Zook | 1999 | 9-7-0 | 56.3% | 0-0 |
| Kurt Schottenheimer | 1995-1998 | 42-22-0 | 65.6% | 0-2 |
| Herman Edwards | 1992-1995 | 43-21-0 | 67.2% | 2-4 |
| Tony Dungy | 1989-1991 | 29-18-1 | 61.5% | 1-2 |
| Tom Bettis | 1966-1977, 1988 | 96-81-7 | 54.1% | 4-3 |
| Douglas Graber | 1983-1986 | 30-34-0 | 46.9% | 0-1 |
| Bud Carson | 1983 | 6-10-0 | 37.5% | 0-0 |
| Walt Corey | 1981-1982 | 12-13-0 | 48.0% | 0-0 |
| Dick Roach | 1978-1980 | 19-29-0 | 39.6% | 0-0 |
| Tom Catlin | 1960-1965 | 44-36-4 | 54.8% | 1-0 |
| Ed Hughes | 1960-1962 | 25-17-0 | 59.5% | 1-0 |
Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach facts
- Ed Hughes and Tom Catlin was the first defensive backs coach in Chiefs history in 1960.
- Tom Bettis coached the most seasons as the Chiefs's defensive backs coach at thirteen seasons.
- David Merritt, Sr. is the current defensive backs coach, starting ahead of the 2019 season.