Perhaps no coach on the Kansas City Chiefs’ staff has more experience with Andy Reid than Todd Pinkston, who is in his second position under the long-tenured skipper after taking the field for him as a player with the Philadelphia Eagles from 2000 until 2004.
Pinkston noted the unique quality of his unorthodox transition from playing for Reid to coaching with him in a recent interview, saying that his experience as a player in his offensive system informs his ability to coach the Chiefs’ running backs effectively.
“I know what to expect from him as far as the ins and outs and what to do and what not to do,” He explained. “It’s fun being on this side of the ball now. It’s giving me the joy that when he gave me the call, I was delighted to get an opportunity to come coach for him.”
Asked about how he got the opportunity to join the team, Pinkston made it clear that his mentality as a coach’s son helped him foster the relationship with Reid to get an internship last summer and, eventually, a full-time job.
“He always asked me because I’m always hitting him up every week when I left Philly or whatever,” Pinkston said of the relationship. “I’d always say, ‘Good luck, great job coach, and Coach, how’s the family?’ So, I’m always keeping in contact with him, and he always (asked) me ‘What am I doing?’ Am I always coaching somewhere? As far [as] if it’s a high school or college.
“I guess he saw the vision that I have and I have for myself being a coach’s son. I guess he saw it in me, so he gave me the opportunity to come be an intern with him last OTAs and last training camp and he saw something in me to bring me aboard.”
Pinkston will face an uphill battle in rebuilding the Chiefs’ running game in 2023, but has plenty of talent to help push his unit over the edge. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is sure to be motivated to win back his starting spot from Isiah Pacheco. Jerick McKinnon will try to replicate his breakout 2022 season, and rookie Deneric Prince seems motivated to make the most of his opportunity.
Their first-year coach will have a lot of work to do if he intends to make the ground game a focal point of Reid’s offense next season, but with experience on his side and a bond formed with trust, fans shouldn’t rule out the return of a throwback style attack in 2023 under Pinkston’s watchful eye.
