Chiefs stick with Vermeil

Vermeil and Peterson have revived KC's fortunes

Dick Vermeil has been rewarded for taking Kansas City to the play-offs with a two-year contract extension.

The revised deal will take the veteran Super Bowl-winning coach through the 2005 season.

The 67-year-old, who guided St Louis to the 1999 title, saw his hopes of a second win ended last weekend with a 38-31 defeat by the Indianapolis.

The Chiefs won the AFC West thanks to an explosive offence but were let down by their NFL-ranked 29th defence.

But Vermeil became only the fourth coach in NFL history to guide three different teams to the play-offs.

Chiefs president Carl Peterson said: "I'm very excited to complete this contract extension.

"In three short years, Dick has turned this franchise around in a very positive way."

The Chiefs were a combined 14-18 in their first two seasons under Vermeil before posting a 13-3 record this season.

This defensive weakness prompted the resignation of co-ordinator Greg Robinson earlier this week.

Vermeil also coached the Philadelphia Eagles, and his overall record reads 103-94 in the regular season.