Former head coach returns for a challenge

RIVER FALLS, Wis. -- Gunther Cunningham, who worked magic with the Kansas City defense in his first round as the Chiefs' defensive coordinator, faces an even bigger challenge this time, but says it's one he welcomes.

"I want to be where the fire is," Cunningham said. "I want to go where the fight is. To me, this is where the fight is. If we have some success, I can go home and sit in my chair and feel pretty good about it. If we don't they'll probably get somebody else in here to do this. I wouldn't have it any other way."

The Chiefs opened their preseason training camp with a practice Thursday afternoon on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Cunningham first arrived in Kansas City in 1995 and produced results quickly. In his first season, a defense that had been ranked in the middle of the league the year before moved up to No. 2. Cunningham was so successful that he eventually became the team's head coach.

But after going 16-16 in his two years, he was fired unceremoniously three seasons ago and replaced by his current boss, Dick Vermeil. Cunningham spent the three years coaching the linebackers at Tennessee.

"I came back for a lot of reasons: my family, the fans, Lamar Hunt, Carl Peterson, Dick Vermeil, the players," Cunningham said. "But most of all, I came back for this challenge. I wanted to be part of this because we've got a chance."