Kansas City, Mo. ? Former Kansas City Chiefs head coach Gunther Cunningham has been retained as defensive coordinator, new head coach Herman Edwards said Wednesday.

The Chiefs, who fired Cunningham after the 2000 season, asked him to return as defensive coordinator in 2004 after finishing 29th overall in defense.

Under Cunningham’s leadership, the Chiefs played a gambling, blitzing, aggressive scheme. With rookie first-round pick Derrick Johnson at linebacker and veteran newcomers such as cornerback Patrick Surtain, the defense finished 25th in yards allowed per game (328.1) and 16th in points allowed (20.3).

“We have the same mind-set in a lot of things we want to do,” Edwards said. “I interviewed Gunther (with the Jets in 2004), and I know Gunther. I’ve got a good relationship with Gunther.”