Gunther Cunningham
Encyclopedia
Gunther Cunningham is an American football
defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions
. Cunningham has presided over some of the most successful defenses in NFL history (1995 & 1997), typically ranking at the top of the league in many statistical categories.
Cunningham was born in 1946 in war-torn Munich, Germany to an American serviceman and a German mother before moving to the United States
at age ten. He attended the University of Oregon
, where he played linebacker
and placekicker
before embarking on a coaching career that has now spanned almost forty years. In 1995, Cunningham was hired by the Chiefs as the defensive coordinator after spending the previous four seasons as a coach with the Los Angeles Raiders.
During his original tenure as defensive coordinator, Cunningham's defenses allowed an average of only 16.4 points per game, the best mark in the NFL and had a turnover margin of +30, tops in the AFC
. Under his lead, a number of players excelled, including stars such as Derrick Thomas
, Neil Smith
, James Hasty
, and Dale Carter
. Cunningham's defenses led Kansas City to an overall record of 42-22.
After the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 1998, head coach Marty Schottenheimer
resigned, opening the door for Cunningham's promotion to the head coach position. After finishing two seasons with a .500 win percentage, Cunningham was fired and replaced by Dick Vermeil
. The move was controversial at the time as Cunningham claims he was never informed by management that he was to be fired, and apparently only found out about it after discovering the article regarding his termination on the Chiefs website after he showed up to work one morning. Cunningham went on to become a successful linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans
. Under Vermeil, the Chiefs' offense exploded, but its defense struggled, resulting in the firing of Vermeil's choice of defensive coordinator, Greg Robinson
. Cunningham was hired again to revitalize a defense that had finished near or at the bottom of the overall rankings since Schottenheimer and Cunningham departed.
For the 2008 season, Cunningham coached the Chiefs' linebackers as well as serving as the defensive coordinator.
Cunningham was hired as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator on January 21, 2009, about a week after the Lions hired new head coach Jim Schwartz
, who he worked with on the Titans from 2001-2003.
He became a naturalized U.S. citizen on April 6, 2010.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. Cunningham has presided over some of the most successful defenses in NFL history (1995 & 1997), typically ranking at the top of the league in many statistical categories.
Cunningham was born in 1946 in war-torn Munich, Germany to an American serviceman and a German mother before moving to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at age ten. He attended the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, where he played linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
and placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
before embarking on a coaching career that has now spanned almost forty years. In 1995, Cunningham was hired by the Chiefs as the defensive coordinator after spending the previous four seasons as a coach with the Los Angeles Raiders.
During his original tenure as defensive coordinator, Cunningham's defenses allowed an average of only 16.4 points per game, the best mark in the NFL and had a turnover margin of +30, tops in the AFC
American Football Conference
The American Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL....
. Under his lead, a number of players excelled, including stars such as Derrick Thomas
Derrick Thomas
Derrick Vincent Thomas , nicknamed D.T., was an American football linebacker and defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League . He played his entire 11-year career for the Chiefs after being drafted fourth overall in the 1989 NFL Draft...
, Neil Smith
Neil Smith (football player)
Neil Smith is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1988 to 1996, the Denver Broncos from 1997 to 1999, and the San Diego Chargers in 2000...
, James Hasty
James Hasty
James Edward Hasty is a former professional American football cornerback who played in the National Football League for the New York Jets, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Oakland Raiders from 1988 to 2001.-Football career:...
, and Dale Carter
Dale Carter
Dale Lavelle Carter is a former American football cornerback who played for the Kansas City Chiefs , Denver Broncos , Minnesota Vikings , New Orleans Saints , and Baltimore Ravens ....
. Cunningham's defenses led Kansas City to an overall record of 42-22.
After the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 1998, head coach Marty Schottenheimer
Marty Schottenheimer
Martin Edward "Marty" Schottenheimer is the current head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He has the most wins of any NFL coach...
resigned, opening the door for Cunningham's promotion to the head coach position. After finishing two seasons with a .500 win percentage, Cunningham was fired and replaced by Dick Vermeil
Dick Vermeil
Richard Albert "Dick" Vermeil is a former American head coach for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles , St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs...
. The move was controversial at the time as Cunningham claims he was never informed by management that he was to be fired, and apparently only found out about it after discovering the article regarding his termination on the Chiefs website after he showed up to work one morning. Cunningham went on to become a successful linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. Under Vermeil, the Chiefs' offense exploded, but its defense struggled, resulting in the firing of Vermeil's choice of defensive coordinator, Greg Robinson
Greg Robinson
-External links:**-References:...
. Cunningham was hired again to revitalize a defense that had finished near or at the bottom of the overall rankings since Schottenheimer and Cunningham departed.
For the 2008 season, Cunningham coached the Chiefs' linebackers as well as serving as the defensive coordinator.
Cunningham was hired as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator on January 21, 2009, about a week after the Lions hired new head coach Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz
Jim Schwartz is an American football head coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.-Early life:Born just outside Baltimore, Maryland, Schwartz attended Mount Saint Joseph High School, an all male Catholic school, where he played football.Schwartz was a four-year letterman at...
, who he worked with on the Titans from 2001-2003.
He became a naturalized U.S. citizen on April 6, 2010.