Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator history

Steve Spagnuolo

Spagnuolo is the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs since the 2019 season, a total of five years. Spagnuolo's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 62-20-0, making him the most successful defensive coordinator in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs five times (2019-2023) and had a 14-2 record under Coach Spagnuolo 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.

Bob Sutton

Sutton was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013-2018 seasons, a total of six years. Sutton's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 65-31-0, making him the second-most successful defensive coordinator in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs five times (2013, 2015-2018) and had a 2-5 record under Coach Sutton in playoff games.

Romeo Crennel

Crennel was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2010-2012 seasons, a total of three years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2010) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Crennel in playoff games.

Clancy Pendergast

Pendergast was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2009 season. Pendergast's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 4-12-0, making him the second-least successful defensive coordinator in Kansas City Chiefs history.

Gunther Cunningham

Cunningham was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1995-1998, 2004-2008 seasons, a total of nine years. The team made it to the playoffs three times (1995, 1997, 2006) and had a 0-3 record under Coach Cunningham in playoff games.

Greg Robinson

Robinson was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2001-2003 seasons, a total of three years. The team made it to the playoffs one time (2003) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Robinson in playoff games.

Kurt Schottenheimer

Schottenheimer was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1999-2000 seasons, a total of two years.

Dave Adolph

Adolph was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1992-1994 seasons, a total of three years. Adolph's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 30-18-0, making him the third-most successful defensive coordinator in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs three times (1992-1994) and had a 2-3 record under Coach Adolph in playoff games.

Bill Cowher

Cowher was the defensive coordinator 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 Cowher in playoff games.

Rod Rust

Rust was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1978-1982, 1988 seasons, a total of six years.

John-Paul Young

Young was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1987 season. Young's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 4-11-0, making him the third-least successful defensive coordinator in Kansas City Chiefs history.

Walt Corey

Corey was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1986 season. Corey's record as the team's defensive coordinator was 10-6-0, making him the third-most successful defensive coordinator in Kansas City Chiefs history. The team made it to the playoffs one time (1986) and had a 0-1 record under Coach Corey in playoff games.

Dan Daniel

Daniel was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1984-1985 seasons, a total of two years.

Bud Carson

Carson was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1983 season.

Tom Bettis

Bettis was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1977 season. Bettis' record as the team's defensive coordinator was 2-12-0, making him the least successful defensive coordinator in Kansas City Chiefs history.

Vince Costello

Costello was the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1975-1976 seasons, a total of two years.


Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator record

Coach Years Record Win percentage Playoff record
Steve Spagnuolo 2019-2023 62-20-0 75.6% 14-2
Bob Sutton 2013-2018 65-31-0 67.7% 2-5
Romeo Crennel 2010-2012 18-22-0 45.0% 0-1
Clancy Pendergast 2009 4-12-0 25.0% 0-0
Gunther Cunningham 1995-1998, 2004-2008 74-70-0 51.4% 0-3
Greg Robinson 2001-2003 27-21-0 56.3% 0-1
Kurt Schottenheimer 1999-2000 16-16-0 50.0% 0-0
Dave Adolph 1992-1994 30-18-0 62.5% 2-3
Bill Cowher 1989-1991 29-18-1 61.5% 1-2
Rod Rust 1978-1982, 1988 35-53-1 39.9% 0-0
John-Paul Young 1987 4-11-0 26.7% 0-0
Walt Corey 1986 10-6-0 62.5% 0-1
Dan Daniel 1984-1985 14-18-0 43.8% 0-0
Bud Carson 1983 6-10-0 37.5% 0-0
Tom Bettis 1977 2-12-0 14.3% 0-0
Vince Costello 1975-1976 10-18-0 35.7% 0-0

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator facts

  • Vince Costello was the first defensive coordinator in Chiefs history in 1975.
  • Gunther Cunningham coached the most seasons as the Chiefs's defensive coordinator at nine seasons.
  • Steve Spagnuolo is the current defensive coordinator, starting ahead of the 2019 season.