Looking Back:
Andy Reid, et al.
The following is an attempt to look at the Chiefs’ coaching staff in a behind-the-scenes way. Three parts: 1) Coach Andy Reid, 2) The coaching staff in general, and 3) The Chiefs ‘Left Hand Man’, Porter Ellett.
Head Coach Andy Reid: Andrew Walter Reid, is very well-known and beloved. He is from California, attended John Marshall HS in L.A. and college at BYU. He majored in PE and minored in English, (he liked to write). He met his wife, Tammy, at BYU while taking a tennis class together. She found a way to get the reserved Reid to ask her out. They married in 1981. He spent 13 years with Philadelphia before coming to the Chiefs in 2013. On the funny side, Coach Reid is known for many things, but he is often teased about his love of Cheeseburgers and Hawaiian shirts. His players clearly love and respect him. He is a member of the Mormon Church, converting from the Lutheran Church after college. He had many stops along the way in his coaching career, including two years at MU. His daughter Drew was born in Columbia. As a young coach, he would umpire baseball games to supplement his meager salary. (I can relate to that.) He now makes 8+ million per year. (I can not relate to that.)
Even though Andy Reid’s professional life is top-notch, like many families Reid’s personal life has had some troubles. Andy Reid and Tammy had three boys and two girls. Their oldest, Garrett, died in 2012 following a long battle with addiction. Their son Britt was involved in some serious legal trouble in 2021 following a DUI accident that seriously injured a young girl. Reid’s youngest son, Spencer, and their two girls, Drew and Crosby, are living quieter lives out of the media spotlight. Both Garrett and Britt had been on the Chiefs’ coaching staff in the past.
Other Coaches: Including Coach Reid, there are 30 men on the Chiefs’ coaching staff. That number surprised me a little. Everything from Offensive Coordinator to Personal Assistant, from Equipment Managers to Strength and Conditioning Coaches, from Statistical Analysis to an Outside LB Coach. Some coaches you will see on the sidelines, others will be in the booth and some will only be seen on the practice fields. Sometimes I forget (and try to avoid) how analytical sports can be. I am assuming many NFL coaches mainly crunch numbers, looking for their opponents ‘tendencies’.
Most of us have heard about offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy is well thought of and many wonder why he has not been hired as a head coach somewhere. Of course, having Mahomes, Kelce, etc has helped Bieniemy look good. He is 53, married to Mia with two sons. This is his 10th year with the Chiefs, five as the Offensive Coordinator. As a younger man, Bieniemy had some trouble staying out of trouble. Bar fights, DUIs, etc.
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is in his fourth year with the Chiefs. He had 15 coaching gigs before he landed in KC. He worked with Reid while they were both with the Eagles. His record, when he was a head coach, is 11-44. He is 63, married to Maria, with five children.
The ‘Left Hand Man’: His name is Porter Ellett. I recently stumbled upon his story. What is this guy all about? He came to the Chiefs’ coaching staff in an interesting way. You see, he is not a former football player or former coach. He grew up as a farm kid in Utah. He had an accident at the age of four and lost the use of his right arm. The arm became a health problem and, at the age of 16, he chose to have it amputated. His parents left the decision up to him. He was already a very good athlete even with one arm. Hard to believe, but he was at the All-State level in both baseball and basketball. Obviously, he was a very determined young man. Like Reid, he went to BYU and met his wife, Carlie. This is his sixth season with the Chiefs and third as the Offensive Quality Control Coach. (Not sure exactly what that is.) He was Coach Reid’s personal assistant for the first three years. (I have a feel for what that is.) Wish I had one. If you are looking for work let me know.
OK, how did Porter get to the Chiefs? After HS Porter went to BYU and got a BS in Economics. Later he was a teacher at MTC (Missionary Training Center). There he met David Woodhouse, they both loved football and they spent time using spreadsheets to analyze games. Porter had a good job, but was not satisfied and wanted to be a coach. Porter’s wife encouraged him to take the plunge. Porter got a Masters in Sports Management from Baylor. Later his best friend David met and married Drew, Andy Reid’s daughter. Porter met Andy Reid through his friendship with David who had become an assistant S&C coach for the Chiefs. Coach Reid liked Porter and invited him in for an interview. As they say, the rest is history.
It is also interesting to know that Coach Reid’s brother, Reggie, had lost the use of his right arm in a motorcycle accident. So, it is felt that Coach Reid was comfortable with the strengths of people with arm disabilities. So, you would have to say Porter’s career path is somewhat unusual, but because Porter grew up meeting each challenge head on he is exactly where he wants to be. Of course, he wants to be a head coach one day. Let’s see, Coach Reid will have to retire one day. Coach Bieniemy and Coach Spagnuolo will be head coaches somewhere else, will Porter be ready? You might ask doesn’t an NFL coach have to have played college or pro football? The answer is no. Remember Coach Todd Haley. He did not play football beyond the youth level. Go Porter Ellett. Go Chiefs.
