Awards & Recognition

2009 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Recipient

Todd Haley 
Bachelor of Arts, 1991

On February 6, 2009, Todd Haley was named the 11th head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, becoming the second-youngest head coach in franchise history. His squad improved in 30 different statistical categories in 2009 compared to the year before his arrival. The 2009 Chiefs also showed substantial progress in 25 different areas over the season’s final eight games compared to the first half of the season. Entering his 16th season in the National Football League in 2010, Todd has helped lead four different teams to division titles in his previous professional coaching stops with the N.Y. Jets, Chicago, Dallas and Arizona.

Todd joined the Chiefs after two-year tenure as offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals. Thanks to his explosive offensive unit in 2008, the Cardinals won their first division title since 1975. Bolstered by key performances by Todd’s players, a sensational postseason run helped Arizona earn a berth in Super Bowl XLIII – the Cardinals first title game appearance since 1947.

The son of respected NFL personnel man Dick Haley, Todd spent his formative years in Pittsburgh, immersed in football with his father and the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Fittingly, his initial home win as Kansas City’s head coach was a thrilling 27-24 overtime victory over the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers as his father proudly looked on. A protégé of legendary NFL coach Bill Parcells, Todd has been recognized in his own right for maximizing the ability of his players, including the likes of quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Tony Romo, as well as wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Keyshawn Johnson, just to name a few. Last season in Kansas City, Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles led the NFL by averaging 5.89 yards per carry, and finished the year with 2,342 combined net yards, the 2^nd highest total in the franchise’s 50-year history.

Todd is incredibly proud to hold a degree from UNF. “I loved UNF. It’s a great school, and it’s grown so much since. I would highly recommend it to anybody.” Although Todd Haley has distinguished himself throughout his professional career, he never dreamed he would be a head coach in the NFL. “I mean, you never think it’s going to happen. There are only 32 jobs of this kind in the world and getting one of them is truly special.” Todd truly embodies the spirit of a UNF alumnus, bringing “hard work, discipline and a desire to be great” to his current coaching assignment. Because of his personal and professional achievements and national reputation for excellence, it is our great pleasure and privilege to present him with the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.

Watch Todd Haley's acceptance speech