The Kansas City Chiefs today announced that head coach Herm Edwards has been relieved of his duties effective immediately. ESPN is reporting that Kansas City is close to hiring Mike Shanahan. ?On behalf of my family, I want to thank Herm for his service to the Chiefs,? Chiefs Chairman Clark Hunt said. ?After careful deliberation over the last week, Scott and I decided that it was in the best interests of the Chiefs to move forward in a different direction. ?This was not an easy decision. Herm is an outstanding football coach and a man of integrity. We appreciate his leadership over the past three seasons, and we wish him all the best in the future.? General Manager Scott Pioli reiterated Hunt?s sentiments. ?Since my arrival last week, Herm and I have had several conversations as part of my overall evaluation of the football operation. After careful consideration, Clark and I felt that it was best to make a change. "What I conveyed last week in the press conference I still believe to be true ? Herm is a great man and a tremendous football coach. He respects the game and the league, and he is passionate about his players and his craft. ?Over the course of this last week, I have also spent time meeting and visiting with most of the assistant coaches, and I will continue to do so over the next several days. All of the coaches from last year's staff, with the exception of one, are under contract through the 2009 season." Click here to read RealGM's Audit of the Chiefs' 2008 season