Professional Bio

15th Year NFL Coach • 1st with Chiefs

Clancy Pendergast enters his 15th NFL season and his first campaign as Kansas City’s defensive coordinator in 2009. In addition, this veteran coach will also work closely with Kansas City’s defensive backs. He joins the Chiefs after spending five seasons as defensive coordinator with Arizona (2004-08).

With Pendergast serving as defensive coordinator and current Chiefs head coach Todd Haley working as the Cardinals offensive coordinator, that duo was responsible for helping the Cardinals orchestrate one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent NFL history. In 2008, Arizona extinguished a nine-year postseason drought as the Cardinals won their first division crown since ‘75. The club made its initial NFL title game appearance since ‘47, won its first-ever NFC Championship Game and earned a trip to Super Bowl XLIII.

During Arizona’s run to the Super Bowl, the Cardinals forced an NFL-best 13 turnovers and 10.0 sacks in the playoffs. Arizona also allowed just 72.5 rushing ypg in the 2008 postseason, while limiting opponents to a passer rating of 72.0.

During the 2008 regular season, Arizona led the league by recovering 17 opponents’ fumbles and tied for fifth in the league with 30 total takeaways. In 2008, the Cardinals defense ranked third in the league with opponents facing an average of 8.16 yards to go on second down. Arizona also ranked sixth in the league, permitting 4.97 yards per play on first down. Over Pendergast’s five seasons as defensive coordinator, the Cardinals racked up 148 total takeaways (77 INTs, 71 FRs) and 180.0 sacks (2.25 per game).

Known for getting the most out of his defensive backs, Pendergast helped Cardinals S Adrian Wilson earn Pro Bowl berths following the 2006 and 2008 campaigns. In 2007, the Cardinals set single-season franchise records with six INT returns for TDs and 551 INT return yards.

The Cardinals defensive unit ranked ninth in the NFL in run defense in 2007, allowing just 97.9 ypg. Arizona set a modern-day NFL record by allowing -18 rushing yards vs. Detroit (11/11/07). That season, Pendergast was also instrumental in the development of DT Darnell Docket, who collected a team-high 9.0 sacks to become Arizona’s first Pro Bowler at that position since DT Eric Swann (’96).

Pendergast’s defensive unit forced 33 turnovers (16 INTs, 17 FRs) in 2006, the most by a Cardinals defense since ‘98. Wilson earned his initial Pro Bowl berth and became the first player since the AFL-NFL merger to record a pair of 99-yard TDs without the benefit of a kickoff return, scoring on an INT return and a fumble return. In 2005, Wilson collected a team-high 8.0 sacks, setting an NFL record for the most sacks in a single season by a defensive back.

Despite a host of injuries on the defensive unit, the Cardinals ranked eighth in the NFL in total defense (295.6 ypg) in 2005. Arizona also ranked fourth in third-down efficiency (34.2%) and was seventh in first downs allowed (272).

During Pendergast’s first season with Arizona in 2004 the Cardinals improved to 12th in scoring defense (20.1 ppg). That marked a 130-point reduction after ranking 32nd in that category a year earlier. Pendergast’s 2004 defense was 12th in total defense after ranking 26th a year earlier. The Cardinals also ranked second in Red Zone TD percentage (45.0) and were fourth in third-down defense (31.6%)

Pendergast enjoyed a one-year stint as Cleveland’s linebackers coach (2003) after a seven-year tour of duty with Dallas (’96-02). After originally joining the Cowboys as a defensive assistant/quality control coach in ‘96, he oversaw the club’s nickel defense in 2000 before coaching the club’s defensive backs coach (2001-02). In both 2000 and 2001, the Cowboys ranked third in the NFL in pass defense. In 2002, Pendergast tutored S Roy Williams, who led the team with five INTs and was a consensus all-rookie selection.

The Phoenix, Arizona native originally entered the NFL ranks as a defensive assistant/quality control coach on Jeff Fisher’s staff in Houston (’95). Prior to entering the professional coaching ranks Pendergast spent time on the collegiate level at Oklahoma (’93-94), Southern California (’92) and Mississippi State (’91). A graduate of the University of Arizona, Pendergast prepped at Tolleson Union High School in Tolleson, Arizona.

Personal Bio

Education: University of Arizona (B.A. ‘90). Born: Phoenix, Arizona. Family: Single.