Overview of Special Teams Coaching in the NFL
In professional football, special teams units handle plays that occur outside traditional offensive and defensive formations, including kickoffs, punts, field goals, and kick/punt returns. The Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach is responsible for designing and teaching schemes for these units, scouting opponents’ tendencies, and managing in-game decisions such as onside kicks and return calls. This role is distinct from head coaching, offensive coordination, or defensive coordination, and it often requires a detailed emphasis on player evaluation, roster management, and situational preparation. Below is a profile and status of the current Chiefs special teams leadership and how the position fits into the franchise’s broader football operations structure.
Duties of a Special Teams Coach at the NFL Level
Special teams coaching in the NFL involves several core responsibilities, spanning schematic development, teaching, scouting, and in-game communication. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the special teams coach works closely with position coaches and the analytics team to develop units that can create field position advantages, protect leads, or score points in critical situations. Tasks include designing special teams play packages, evaluating coverage and return schemes, and coordinating with the scouting department to compile tendencies on opposing kickers and returners. In addition, this role often interfaces closely with the strength and conditioning staff to ensure players meet the physical demands of high-leverage special teams snaps.
Player Evaluation and Roster Management
One of the most consequential aspects of special teams coaching is identifying and developing players who may not be full-time contributors on offense or defense. The Chiefs’ special teams coach typically works with wide receivers, defensive backs, linebackers, and punters who see action on coverage or return units. Player development includes teaching block-shed techniques, route running in punt and kickoff coverage, and protecting against missed tackles by ensuring disciplined angles and pursuit. This functions as a core relationship-building role across the roster, as special teams contributors often rely on trust and precise communication due to the condensed time and space of special teams plays.
Game Management and Situational Decisions
In-game, the special teams coach supports the head coach and coordinators with situational recommendations, such as whether to attempt an onside kick, when to surprise onside in obvious passing situations, and when to fair-catch or return in specific field-zones. These recommendations are typically informed by down-and-distance models, field position, and historical success rates for various tactics. While final decisions rest with the head coach and play-callers, the special teams coach provides data-driven context, including success probabilities by unit and player matchup advantages. This advisory capacity makes the role integral to strategic planning, even if not publicly visible during broadcasts.
Current Special Teams Coach for the Kansas City Chiefs
As of the most recent public reporting, the Kansas City Chiefs’ special teams coach is Ben Miller. Miller has held this role within the Chiefs organization for multiple seasons, contributing to units that have supported the franchise’s sustained competitiveness in both regular season and postseason contests. Prior to joining Kansas City, he served in special teams and coaching roles with other NFL teams, accumulating experience across different systems and player personnel structures. His current responsibilities include overseeing the execution of kickoff, punt, and field goal/extra block assignments, as well as coordinating practice time for these units alongside the broader weekly preparation regimen.
Coach Background and Path to the Chiefs
Ben Miller’s coaching background includes work at the collegiate level and earlier assistant stints in the NFL before landing the Chiefs special teams role. Experience at programs that emphasize analytics and situational football is common among modern special teams coaches, as the position increasingly relies on data to evaluate tradeoffs such as attempting versus squibbing kickoffs, or choosing directional versus standard punting strategies. In Kansas City, he collaborates with analysts to test and implement new schemes, while also mentoring younger coaches and veteran players who take on added responsibilities on coverage units.
Measuring Impact and Performance Metrics
Because special teams touches are relatively limited compared to offensive or defensive snaps, performance evaluation relies heavily on context-aware metrics and film study. The Chiefs track a variety of indicators related to special teams play, including net starting field position, opponent return yardage allowed, touchback and fair-catch rates on kickoffs, and success rates on fake kicks or surprise onside attempts. These metrics are reviewed both at the macro level across the season and at the micro level for individual players, enabling targeted adjustments in scheme and technique. While not every play results in highlight-reel moments, efficient special teams execution can meaningfully reduce opponent scoring opportunities and generate advantageous field position.
Comparative Snapshot: Chiefs Special Teams Metrics (Illustrative Examples)
The following table summarizes typical metrics used to evaluate special teams performance and how the Chiefs might report them internally. Specific current-season values are not provided here so that the table remains evergreen and reflects standard practice rather than time-sensitive results.
| Metric | Definition | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Net Starting Field Position | Average starting field position after own special teams plays, adjusted for kick location | Internal tracking and public punt/kick return statistics |
| Opponent Return Yards Per Attempt | Yards gained by opponents returning kicks or punts divided from number of returns | Public play-by-play and league statistics |
| Touchback Rate on Kickoffs | Percentage of kickoffs that end in a touchback | Game reports and official statistics |
| Fair-Catch Rate | Percentage of kickoffs where a fair catch is called | Game reports and official statistics |
| Fake Kick Success Rate | Percentage of fake kick plays resulting in a first down or score | Internal film review and play logs |
Integration with Coaching Staff and Player Development
The Chiefs special teams coach operates within a broader ecosystem that includes position coaches, the analytics department, and the scouting unit. Collaboration is particularly important when evaluating returners and gunners, as traits such as acceleration, vision, and blocking reliability must align with scheme requirements. Because special teams rosters are often composed of players who may rotate through other phases, the coach also supports individual skill development—such as improving angle discipline on coverage or refining the timing of road-block concepts—so that units remain efficient even with limited practice time. This synergy between coaching, analytics, and player development helps sustain unit performance across a long season.
In-Game Responsibilities and Communication Flow
During games, the special teams coach maintains communication with the head coach, coordinators, and sideline staff to relay matchup information and procedural reminders. For example, before a kickoff or punt, the coach may confirm directional tendencies, remind players of protections, and signal any last-minute adjustments based on observed alignments. In critical moments—such as a potential game-winning field goal or a late-game onside attempt—the special teams coach may provide probability assessments and historical success rates to inform decision-making. Effective communication ensures that units execute consistently and that adjustments can be made at the next stoppage of play.
Historical Context and Trends in Special Teams Coaching
Over the past decade, special teams coaching in the NFL has become more data-driven, with an increased focus on analytics, situational football, and roster flexibility. Teams now commonly use metrics such as expected points added (EPA) on kickoffs and punts, as well as win probability models, to decide when to attempt surprise onside kicks or to optimize directional punting. The Chiefs’ approach reflects this trend, integrating analytics specialists and video analysts into the preparation process. As a result, the special teams coach’s role has evolved from primarily teaching technique to also interpreting advanced metrics and translating them into practical in-game strategies that can influence field position and scoring opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the Chiefs special teams coach do on a weekly basis? The coach designs practice plans for kickoff, punt, and field goal/extra block units, conducts film study with analysts, evaluates player performance using metrics and film, and communicates in-game recommendations to coordinators and the head coach.
- How does the special teams coach influence roster decisions? By identifying versatile players who can contribute on special teams, the coach helps shape roster construction and informs decisions around practice squad allocations, injury designations, and in-game designations for high-leverage situations.
- Does the special teams coach call plays during games? Play-calling authority typically resides with the head coach and offensive or defensive coordinators; the special teams coach provides data and situational insight but does not directly call plays.
- Are special teams schemes standardized across NFL teams? While core concepts such as coverage angles and return lanes are common, each franchise customizes schemes to fit personnel, opponent tendencies, and philosophical preferences, and the Chiefs’ approach incorporates analytics and tailored adjustments.
Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways
The Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in shaping field position, protecting leads, and creating scoring chances through efficient unit execution. The current holder of this role is Ben Miller, who oversees practice planning, player development, and in-game strategy in collaboration with analytics and scouting teams. Success in this position is measured not only by highlight plays but also by metrics such as net starting field position, return yardage control, and situational win probability. Understanding these responsibilities clarifies how special teams coaching supports overall roster performance and long-term competitive resilience.