<P> In Schottenheimer's tenure as head coach, (1989--1998), the Chiefs became a perennial playoff contender, featuring offensive players including Steve DeBerg, Christian Okoye, Stephone Paige and Barry Word, a strong defense, anchored by Thomas, Smith, Albert Lewis and Deron Cherry, and on special teams, Nick Lowery, most accurate kicker in NFL History . The team recorded a 101--58--1 record, and clinched seven playoff berths . The Chiefs' 1993 season was the franchise's most successful in 22 years . With newly acquired quarterback Joe Montana and running back Marcus Allen, two former Super Bowl champions and MVPs, the Chiefs further strengthened their position in the NFL . The 11--5 Chiefs defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers on their way to the franchise's first and to date only AFC Championship Game appearance against the Buffalo Bills . The Chiefs were overwhelmed by the Bills and lost the game by a score of 30--13 . The Chiefs' victory on January 16, 1994, against the Oilers remained the franchise's last post-season victory for 21 years until their 30--0 victory over the Houston Texans on January 9, 2016 . </P> <P> In the 1995 NFL playoffs, the 13--3 Chiefs hosted the Indianapolis Colts in a cold, damp late afternoon game at Arrowhead Stadium . Kansas City lost the game 10--7 against the underdog Colts, after kicker Lin Elliot missed three field goal attempts and quarterback Steve Bono threw three interceptions . The Chiefs selected tight end Tony Gonzalez with the 13th overall selection in the 1997 NFL Draft, a move which some considered to be a gamble being that Gonzalez was primarily a basketball player at California . During a 1997 season full of injuries to starting quarterback Elvis Grbac, backup quarterback Rich Gannon took the reins of the Chiefs' offense as the team headed to another 13--3 season . Head coach Marty Schottenheimer chose Grbac to start the playoff game against the Denver Broncos despite Gannon's successes in previous weeks . Grbac's production in the game was lacking, and the Chiefs lost to the Broncos 14--10 . Denver went on to capture their fifth AFC Championship by defeating Pittsburgh, and then defeated the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII . </P> <P> Coach Schottenheimer announced his resignation from the Chiefs following the 1998 season, and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham took over coaching duties for the next two seasons, compiling a 16--16 record . By the end of the Chiefs' decade of regular - season dominance, Gannon had signed with the Oakland Raiders, Neil Smith signed with the Denver Broncos, and Derrick Thomas was paralyzed from a car accident on January 23, 2000 . Thomas died from complications of his injury weeks later . After allegedly reading online that he would be relieved of duties, head coach Gunther Cunningham was fired . </P> <P> Looking to change the Chiefs' game plan which relied on a tough defensive strategy for the past decade, Carl Peterson contacted Dick Vermeil about the Chiefs' head coaching vacancy for the 2001 season . Vermeil previously led the St. Louis Rams to a victory in Super Bowl XXXIV . Vermeil was hired on January 12 . The Chiefs then traded a first round draft pick in the 2001 NFL Draft to St. Louis for quarterback Trent Green and signed free agent running back Priest Holmes to be the team's cornerstones on offense . </P>

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