Pioli headed for Kansas City

Longtime Pats’ personnel man to join Chiefs

Another day. Another high-profile defection.

A day after former Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was introduced as the new head coach of the Denver Broncos, it was revealed yesterday that Scott Pioli, New England’s longtime vice president of player personnel, will become GM of the Kansas City Chiefs. After spending the last nine seasons with the Patriots, Pioli will be introduced today at a press conference in Kansas City.

Pioli’s arrival has been long-awaited in Kansas City — at the season-finale, Chiefs’ fans were blunt in their assessment of outgoing Kansas City GM Carl Peterson, waving signs that read, “We Want Pioli.”

“We are very excited to welcome Scott to the Chiefs,” Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said yesterday of Pioli, who has twice been named NFL Executive of the Year. “With his proven track record of success, Scott is the finest player personnel executive in the NFL, and we look forward to his leadership in building a championship organization.”

“Scott is a great evaluator of talent. He is thorough in his evaluations, extremely organized and has done a tremendous job mining all possible resources to help Coach [Bill] Belichick and his staff field the players needed to win consistently,” said New England owner Robert Kraft. “He has played an important role in building a championship tradition with players that I am proud to call Patriots.

“On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, I wish Scott continued success in his new role and offer best wishes to his wonderful wife Dallas, and their beautiful daughter Mia. I think Clark Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs have made a very wise hire.”

Working with Belichick, the 43-year-old Pioli was an integral part of the Patriots team-building process. The two, who met 17 years ago in Cleveland, were the envy of personnel guys throughout the league in New England. Unencumbered by a meddlesome ownership, the two would go on to lead New England to three Super Bowls in four seasons. The two were the very definition of football yin and yang — prior to Super Bowl XXXIX, they estimated they really disagreed on only a handful of personnel moves in the time they had spent together.

Yesterday, Belichick issued a statement saying Pioli was not only a great co-worker, but “one of my best friends.”

“To sum up in words everything Scott Pioli has meant to this organization and to me personally would be difficult, if not impossible,” Belichick said. “From the day I met him, he has demonstrated a passion for football and respect for the game that is second to none.  It has been extremely gratifying for me to follow Scott's career ascension from the bottom of the totem pole in Cleveland to his place as a pillar of championship teams in New England.  Now with the opportunity to steer his own ship and a vision of building a winner, there is no more capable, hardworking, loyal, team-oriented person than Scott Pioli.

“On a personal level, the Belichick-Pioli bond runs far deeper than our workplace, as we and our families have shared countless memories away from football.  Working side by side with one of my best friends for almost two decades is special enough in itself.  But to help each other achieve success beyond our dreams is a blessing and something I will always remember and appreciate.”