AP

After the firing of Todd Haley, the Kansas City Chiefs will install defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel as the interim head coach for the final three games of the season.

Crennel, who was hired by Haley as defensive coordinator last year, was the head coach of the Browns from 2005 to 2008. According to multiple reports, the Chiefs have started informing members of the organization that the job is Crennel’s for the next three weeks.

Given the disappointing record of the Browns during Crennel’s tenure, it’s probably unrealistic to think he’d be given a real shot at becoming head coach permanently in 2012, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs hire a head coach who would keep Crennel in place as defensive coordinator.

Among the names that have been thrown around as possible Chiefs head coaches in 2012 are former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and former Browns and Jets head coach Eric Mangini. All occupy branches of the Bill Belichick family tree, as do Crennel and Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli.