KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Chiefs were courting former Eagles coach Andy Reid on Wednesday as they searched for a replacement for Romeo Crennel, who was fired this week after the worst season in franchise history. Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt was meeting with Reid in Philadelphia, a person familiar with Reids plans told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans were not made public. ESPN.com first reported the interview would take place. Reid, fired Monday after 14 seasons in Philadelphia, also planned to interview for the open job in Arizona. The Cardinals dismissed Ken Whisenhunt on Monday. The Chiefs have a connection with Reid through team president Mark Donovan, who spent his previous six years as the Eagles senior vice-president of business operations. Hunt began his search for Crennels replacement in Atlanta, where he interviewed offensive co-ordinator Dirk Koetter on Tuesday. But one day later, Falcons coach Mike Smith said Koetter had signed a new contract and would not be pursuing a head coaching job this season. "I dont want to really get into any of the details," Smith said Wednesday. "Dirk is going to be here with us. He informed me of that last night. We talked at length." Hunt told the AP in an interview this week that he would lead the search for the Chiefs next coach, not embattled general manager Scott Pioli. Hunt said he had "the appropriate resources available to help me in the process," but would not say who is assisting in the search. "Were very well organized," Hunt said. "We want to be thorough, but efficient as well." Hunts decision to spearhead the coaching search coincides with his plan to take greater control of football operations. Pioli had been responsible for all personnel moves since he was hired in 2009, including the hiring and firing of head coaches. Pioli parted with Herm Edwards shortly after he was hired and replaced him with Todd Haley, but their relationship was strained. Haley was dismissed in December 2011 and Crennel was made interim coach. He was given the job on a permanent basis in January. Crennel was fired Monday after going 2-14 in his first full season. It was widely thought Pioli would also be fired after a series of failed drafts and poor free-agent acquisitions. Hunt said he had not decided whether to release the GM. Its likely that the decision wont be made until Hunt hires a coach. "I dont have a timeline laid out per se on that," Hunt said. "Obviously the beginning of February there are a lot of important events related to the upcoming draft, the combine and so forth, and we want to be solidified in that regard before that." The Chiefs have the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft for the first time in franchise history. Hunt refused to discuss potential candidates to replace Crennel, but did offer a lengthy list of qualities hes seeking in an ideal head coach. "Id say a proven leader," Hunt said. "Somebody who has demonstrated the ability to build a successful program, or been part of building a successful program. Somebody of high integrity, somebody who is a successful teacher and communicator. Somebody who has a high football IQ, but at the same time likes to roll up their sleeves and work hard." Reid would appear to have most of those qualities. The Eagles were 3-13 the year before he arrived, but two seasons later, they went 11-5 and finished second in the NFC East. It was the first of five straight years in which the Eagles won at least 11 games, and included a trip to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season. Reid was 130-93-1 in Philadelphia, the most wins in franchise history. He helped the Eagles win 10 playoff games -- the Chiefs havent won one since 1993 -- and six division titles. Reid is considered a bright offensive mind with success developing quarterbacks, an area of particular need in Kansas City. His best years coincided with Donovan McNabbs best years, and the 54-year-old coach also worked with Brett Favre early in his career in Green Bay. "Im not going to go into discussing who were talking to," Hunt said Monday, before adding: "We do have a list of candidates who are priority for us." ------ AP Sports Writers John Wawrow and George Henry contributed to this story. cheap jerseys .com .Y. - Marcus Foligno considers himself among the fortunate with the NHL lockout preparing to enter its second month. cheap nfl jerseys china . -- The Washington Redskins have released running back Ryan Grant and brought back running back Keiland Williams. http://www.comcheapjerseys.com/ . Calvin Johnson was forced to settle for what he could get. cheapjerseys.com . David Alaba will be out for up to eight weeks after suffering a fracture in his left foot. Alaba was injured shortly after scoring Bayerns first goal in a 3-2 loss to Napoli in Arco, Italy on Friday. jerseys from china . Cecil made his season debut on June 17 after going a combined 4-2 with a 3.47 ERA in 10 starts across Double and Triple-A. He beat the Phillies after allowing two runs over five innings, then made his second outing of the year on Saturday at Miami.BARCELONA, Spain -- Ten-man Real Madrid slumped to a dire 0-0 draw at Osasuna in the Spanish league as coach Jose Mourinho failed to compensate for the absence of top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo on Saturday. With Ronaldo serving a one-game suspension, Madrids pedestrian attack didnt manage a shot between the posts until injury time and was lucky to avoid a loss to the relegation-threatened Osasuna. Mourinho sent on Karim Benzema, Mesut Oezil and Kaka as luxury reinforcements to try and jump start his attack after halftime, but Kaka lasted 18 minutes on the pitch before receiving his second booking in the 76th minute and his teammates never seriously threatened. "Maybe we were lacking some spark tonight," said Madrid defender Raul Albiol. "Even though we are way behind Barcelona, we wanted to win the game." Elsewhere, three homes teams earned wins as Valencia beat Sevilla 2-0, Valladolid downed Mallorca 3-1, and Espanyol edged out Celta Vigo 1-0. Madrid is in a distant third place with only one win in its last four league games. The draw left it 15 points behind Barcelona before the league leader visits Malaga on Sunday. If Barcelona wins at La Rosaleda Stadium, 18 points would be Madrids largest deficit since it was 20 points behind league-leading Atletico Madrid in May 1996. "I dont want to explain why we can be 18 points behind Barcelona," Mourinho said. "Things happened in the first weeks that I dont want to talk about. Then, with the gap already large, one team has the pressure while the other doesnt," he said, apparently forgetting that Atletico Madrid is also ahead of his team in the table. For weeks, Madrids coach and players have acknowledged that its chances of defending the league title were virtually gone, but Saturdays drab performance -- Ronaldo or no -- was by far the worst of its disappointing season. Mourinho has turned off many of Madrids fans in recent weeks by benching veteran goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Casillas was back in goal with Adan Garrido suspended, but Madrids latest slip will give Mourinhos critics only more ammunition.dddddddddddd "You never hear me use injuries to my players as an excuse and I wont do it with suspended ones now," the Portuguese manager said. Madrid showed that it needs Ronaldo for more than just his 16 goals in league play. It also apparently depends on the Portugal forward for its attack to rise above mediocrity. Ronaldo may not have been there, but Madrid is not poor as high-priced talent goes. Still, even with Argentina forwards Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria supported by Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso it couldnt create scoring opportunities. "(Ronaldo) is the best or among the best players in the world and he makes a big impact for Madrid," said Osasuna goalkeeper Andres Fernandez. "I dont think they were comfortable. It was difficult for them to get into the match, and that is to our credit." After a drab first half by both sides at Reyno de Navarra stadium, Osasunas Kike Sola finally recorded a shot between the posts moments into the second half when Casillas was forced to block his shot. Only Osasunas poor finishing touch saved Madrid from a loss as the hosts claimed the initiative but couldnt take the winner. Roberto Soldado scored two goals off corner kicks to give Valencia a 2-0 win over visiting Sevilla as it confirmed its turnaround under coach Ernesto Valverde with a third straight win. Valencia provisionally rose into seventh place, while Sevilla stayed in 12th with only one away victory in nine games. Valladolid forward Patrick Ebert returned from injury in fine fashion by scoring two goals and setting up the late winner against struggling Mallorca. Espanyol, meanwhile, escaped the relegation zone after beating Celta at Cornella-El Prat Stadium thanks to Sergio Garcias first-half goal. Atletico hosts Real Zaragoza on Sunday, while Real Betis plays Levante, and Deportivo La Coruna is at Real Sociedad. Getafe hosts Granada on Monday. Rayo Vallecano extended its winning streak to four games by beating Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on Friday. ' ' '