INDIANAPOLIS -- Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey is glad Dave Toub is finally on his side.
Prior to being named Scot Pioli's successor in Kansas City on Jan. 12, Dorsey enjoyed a successful 15-season run as director of college scouting for the Bears' NFC North rival Green Bay Packers. Having faced the Bears a minimum of two times each season gave Dorsey an appreciation for Toub's work on special teams, beginning in 2004 when Toub arrived in Chicago as one of the original hires on Lovie Smith's staff.
Toub became available this offseason after he interviewed, but failed to land Smith's old job following the conclusion of the 2012 regular season. Shortly after the interview process, the Bears granted Toub permission to speak with other teams around the league. While Toub received interest from multiple organizations, he was quickly scooped up by new Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who Toub previously worked for in Philadelphia from 2001-03.
"Anybody who knows special teams and coaches knows that Dave Toub is one of the better special teams coaches in the National Football League," Dorsey said Friday. "I look so forward to working with him. I had to battle him so many years, and he's a real good special teams coach. I'm so glad he's with us."
Toub faces a challenge as the Chiefs move to overhaul their roster, but a handful of talented special teams players do exist on the roster. One intriguing option might be wide receiver Dexter McCluster, who returned kickoffs for the Chiefs in 2010 and 2011, but was taken off that role last season.
Aiding Toub in his transition is the fact he brings instant credibility to his new position in Kansas City after he helped turn three-time Pro Bowler Devin Hester into the greatest return man in the history of the game, while also producing several other Pro Bowl special teams players such as Brendan Ayanbadejo, Corey Graham, Robbie Gould and Johnny Knox.
Can Toub turn someone on the Chiefs roster into the next Hester?
"I hope so," Dorsey said with a smile.