The Kansas City Chiefs organization is mourning the passing of longtime Chiefs assistant coach Darvin Wallis. Wallis, 60, spent 26 seasons in the NFL coaching ranks with Kansas City and Cleveland. He spent 19 seasons with the Chiefs as a defensive assistant/quality control coach before his retirement in January of 2008. He is survived by his wife Vicky and three sons: Tyson, Darvin, Jr. and Austin.

“On behalf of my family and the entire Chiefs organization, we want to extend our deepest sympathies to Vicky and the Wallis family during this difficult time,” Hunt said. “Darvin worked tirelessly behind the scenes for the Chiefs for nearly 20 years. He was a beloved figure at Arrowhead, and we will always remember and appreciate his lasting contributions to our team.”

Wallis’ 19-year tenure with Kansas City ranked as the second-longest stint by an assistant coach in franchise history, trailing only Tom Pratt (21 years). Wallis also joined Pratt by holding the distinction of becoming the only other assistant coach in club history to serve under four different head coaches. Wallis worked under Marty Schottenheimer, Gunther Cunningham, Dick Vermeil and Herm Edwards. He began his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns under head coach Sam Rutigliano in ‘82. Schottenheimer and Rutigliano joined Hunt in expressing their condolences on Wallis’ passing.

“He was at the forefront of the coaching profession’s analysis of trends through video analysis,” Schottenheimer said. “In the role in which he was cast, I’ve never been with one better – the best I was ever involved with. The thoughts and prayers of Pat and I are with the Wallis family in its time of sorrow.” “Darvin was truly at the cutting edge when it came to introducing computer technology into the NFL,” Rutigliano said. “In terms of applying research and development to the strategy of the game, he was at the forefront of that movement. He was a marvelously talented individual. All of us who knew him so well will miss him deeply.”

A 36-year coaching veteran, Wallis was a member of 14 playoffs teams, including nine with the Chiefs. He was one of only six assistant coaches in Kansas City history to serve more than one full decade with the club. In addition, he was one of 19 coaches in NFL history to work for a team in all 10 years of a 100-win decade as Kansas City produced a 102-58 record from ‘90-99.

Prior to joining the Chiefs, Wallis served in a similar capacity for seven years under Schottenheimer and Rutigliano with the Cleveland Browns (’82-88). Before embarking on his NFL coaching career, he tutored the tight ends and tackles at the University of Mississippi (’80-81). He also was the offensive line and strength coach at Tulane (’78-79) and oversaw the offensive front at Adams State (’76-77). The Fort Branch, Indiana native began his coaching career at Wilcox High School (’72) before taking the head coaching reins at Ajo High School in Ajo, Arizona (’73-75).

A memorial service for Wallis will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 7th at the Overland Park Baptist Temple – 11648 Antioch Rd, Overland Park, KS 66210. The Wallis family has requested memorials in the honor of Darvin Wallis be directed to Voice of the Martyrs (c/o Brenda Matlock) – P.O. Box 443, Bartlesville, OK 74005.