Scott Pioli
Encyclopedia
Scott Pioli is a professional American football
executive, currently serving as the general manager
for the Kansas City Chiefs
of the National Football League
(NFL). Pioli was previously a front office executive for the Cleveland Browns
, Baltimore Ravens
, New York Jets
, and New England Patriots
. Pioli served as Director, and later Vice President of Player Personnel for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008 helping the Patriots franchise win three Super Bowl
championships, and the NFL's only 16-0 regular season to date.
between 1983 and 1987, graduating in 1988 with a degree in communication
s. He was a three-time Division II All-New England
selection as a defensive tackle. In 2005, Central Connecticut inducted Pioli into their hall of fame. In 1988, after graduating with a degree in communications, he accepted a two-year graduate assistant position at Syracuse University
, where he also earned a master's degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Pioli served as a graduate assistant with the Syracuse football team
from 1988 to 1989. In 1990, he began a two-year stint at Murray State University
as an offensive line coach in his first year (1990) and as a defensive line coach in his second year (1991).
, Pioli was hired as a pro personnel assistant by Bill Belichick
, then the head coach of the Cleveland Browns
. Pioli's relationship with Belichick dated back to the mid-1980s, when as a student at Central Connecticut, Pioli would drive 90 minutes to the New York Giants
training camp. Through a mutual friend, Pioli was introduced to then-Giants defensive coordinator Belichick, who was impressed at Pioli's dedication to travel to each practice and offered him a place to stay.
In Cleveland, Pioli was responsible for the evaluation of both college prospects and veteran free agents, as well as negotiating various player contracts. When the Browns moved to Baltimore
after the 1995
season, Pioli stayed with the team and was promoted to Pro Personnel Coordinator for the Ravens' 1996
season.
, Pioli rejoined Belichick and was hired by the New York Jets
as the team's Director of Pro Personnel. Pioli was credited with the signing of a number of veteran free agents who played critical roles in the Jets' rebuilding process which helped the team rebound from a 1-15 record in 1996
to a 12-4 record in 1998
. The 1998 Jets recorded a franchise-high 12 wins and their first division title since 1968
.
When Belichick accepted the Patriots' head coaching position in 2000
, Pioli joined Belichick and the two eventually became the first personnel director/head coach tandem in league annals to win three Super Bowls during a four-year span (2001–2004). He and Belichick split the duties usually held by a general manager on most other NFL teams, though Belichick had the final say.
Pioli’s skills as a talent evaluator helped create a consistent championship contender in New England. He was regularly recognized for his ability to build a team, not simply collecting individual talent, helping to make the Patriots a "model franchise." From 2000–2008, the Patriots had an NFL-best record of 102-42 (.708) and registered 14 playoff victories. Pioli worked in close coordination with Belichick, bringing players to the Patriots who fit into the framework of the club’s team concept
. Pioli and Belichick's teams were noted for the depth of talent at all the positions and used an effective combination of draft picks, free-agent signings, and trades to continually upgrade their roster. The most-notable selection in an NFL Draft
by Pioli and Belichick was quarterback Tom Brady
, who was chosen 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft
.
In his tenure with the Patriots, Pioli earned promotions from Assistant Director of Player Personnel to Director of Player Personnel in 2001, and to Vice President of Player Personnel in 2002
. Also, Pioli earned a contract extension in 2005
after being pursued by several NFL teams to become general manager.
In 2007, the Patriots finished their regular season with a 16-0 record, a first in NFL history. The team advanced to Super Bowl XLII
but lost to the New York Giants
17-14 and failed to finish the season with a perfect 19-0 record. Prior to the season, Pioli executed trades to acquire wide receivers Wes Welker
and Randy Moss
, both of whom helped the Patriots set multiple NFL records on offense.
, Pioli was interviewed by the Cleveland Browns
to replace the recently fired Phil Savage
as the team's general manager. Though initially seen as a long-shot, Pioli was also interviewed by the Kansas City Chiefs
and was reportedly the number one candidate to succeed Carl Peterson
as general manager. Pioli reportedly sought "total control" if hired, which seemed to conflict with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt
's desire to hire someone to be in charge of just football operations. Hunt had kept his search almost entirely leak-proof, instructing subordinates that only he is to speak to the situation, and after reports that talks between the Chiefs and Pioli were intensifying, the Chiefs confirmed that Pioli was hired on January 13, 2009. Later that day, Belichick released the following statement to the press:
Pioli was introduced at a press conference in Kansas City the following day and refused to comment on the long-term status of Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards
. On January 23, 2009, Pioli fired Edwards.
To replace Edwards, Pioli hired Arizona Cardinals
offensive coordinator Todd Haley
as head coach on February 5, 2009. Soon after, Pioli acquired quarterback Matt Cassel
from the Patriots; Cassel had led the Patriots to an 11–5 record in 2008
after starter Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. In July 2009, Pioli and the Chiefs agreed to a six-year, $62.7 million contract extension with Cassel. Pioli also organized a trade with former colleague Thomas Dimitroff
, later the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons
, that sent longtime Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta.
Despite the offseason moves, the Chiefs in 2009
could only match their 4–12 record in 2008
. Following the season, Pioli hired former Notre Dame
head coach Charlie Weis
as offensive coordinator and former Cleveland Browns
head coach Romeo Crennel
as defensive coordinator; both held the same roles in New England for each of the three Super Bowl winning seasons during Pioli's tenure with the Patriots. In 2010
, the Chiefs won their first AFC West
division title since 2003
.
.
On June 24, 2009, ESPN.com announced its All-Decade Moments naming Scott Pioli Personnel Man of the Decade. "No one in the league does a better job of scouting their own team, and [at the Patriots] Pioli was orchestrating all of that."
.
He currently serves on the board of directors for various non-profit foundations and serves on the board of directors for the College for Every Student Foundation, a national non-profit organization that partners with public schools in high-need communities to raise student aspirations and performance.
He established the Rose Pioli Scholarship in the name of his grandmother to benefit children of educators, professional firefighters, police and other emergency medical service providers.
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...
executive, currently serving as the general manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). Pioli was previously a front office executive for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
, New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
. Pioli served as Director, and later Vice President of Player Personnel for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008 helping the Patriots franchise win three Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
championships, and the NFL's only 16-0 regular season to date.
Early years
Pioli attended Central Connecticut State UniversityCentral Connecticut State University
Central Connecticut State University is a state university in New Britain, Connecticut, United States.The school was moved to its present campus in 1922...
between 1983 and 1987, graduating in 1988 with a degree in communication
Communication
Communication is the activity of conveying meaningful information. Communication requires a sender, a message, and an intended recipient, although the receiver need not be present or aware of the sender's intent to communicate at the time of communication; thus communication can occur across vast...
s. He was a three-time Division II All-New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
selection as a defensive tackle. In 2005, Central Connecticut inducted Pioli into their hall of fame. In 1988, after graduating with a degree in communications, he accepted a two-year graduate assistant position at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, where he also earned a master's degree from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
Pioli served as a graduate assistant with the Syracuse football team
Syracuse Orange football
The Syracuse Orange football program is a college football team that represents Syracuse University. The team is a member of the Big East Conference, which is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I conference that is part of the Football Bowl Subdivision...
from 1988 to 1989. In 1990, he began a two-year stint at Murray State University
Murray State University
Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years...
as an offensive line coach in his first year (1990) and as a defensive line coach in his second year (1991).
Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens
In 19921992 Cleveland Browns season
The 1992 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 43rd season with the National Football League.-Staff:-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
, Pioli was hired as a pro personnel assistant by Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
William Stephen "Bill" Belichick is an American football head coach for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. After spending his first 15 seasons in the league as an assistant coach, Belichick got his first head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns in 1991...
, then the head coach of the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Pioli's relationship with Belichick dated back to the mid-1980s, when as a student at Central Connecticut, Pioli would drive 90 minutes to the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
training camp. Through a mutual friend, Pioli was introduced to then-Giants defensive coordinator Belichick, who was impressed at Pioli's dedication to travel to each practice and offered him a place to stay.
In Cleveland, Pioli was responsible for the evaluation of both college prospects and veteran free agents, as well as negotiating various player contracts. When the Browns moved to Baltimore
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
after the 1995
1995 Cleveland Browns season
The 1995 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 46th season with the National Football League. On November 6, then-owner Art Modell announced his intentions to move the team to Baltimore...
season, Pioli stayed with the team and was promoted to Pro Personnel Coordinator for the Ravens' 1996
1996 Baltimore Ravens season
The 1996 Baltimore Ravens season was the franchise's inaugural season in the National Football League and at their home stadium, Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore remained without an NFL football franchise for 13 years after the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana...
season.
New York Jets
In 19971997 New York Jets season
The 1997 New York Jets season began with the team trying to improve upon its league-worst and franchise-worst 1–15 record from 1996. Sparked by the arrival of head coach Bill Parcells, who replaced Rich Kotite, and was coming off a Super Bowl berth the previous season, the Jets improved to 9–7, but...
, Pioli rejoined Belichick and was hired by the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as the team's Director of Pro Personnel. Pioli was credited with the signing of a number of veteran free agents who played critical roles in the Jets' rebuilding process which helped the team rebound from a 1-15 record in 1996
1996 New York Jets season
The 1996 New York Jets season began with the team trying to improve upon its league-worst 3–13 record from 1995. However, this season proved even more calamitous as they finished 1–15, which is the worst record in franchise history...
to a 12-4 record in 1998
1998 New York Jets season
The 1998 New York Jets season was the 39th season for the team and the 29th in the National Football League. The team tried to improve upon its 9–7 record from 1997 and finished 12–4 in their second season under head coach Bill Parcells, winning their first division title since the AFL-NFL merger...
. The 1998 Jets recorded a franchise-high 12 wins and their first division title since 1968
1968 New York Jets season
The 1968 New York Jets season was the ninth season for the team in the American Football League . The team had the most successful season in franchise history. Trying to improve upon their 8–5–1 record in 1967, they won the AFL Eastern Division with an 11–3 record...
.
New England Patriots
2000 New England Patriots season
The 2000 New England Patriots season was the 31st season for the team in the National Football League and 41st season overall. They finished with a 5–11 record and in last place in the division....
, Pioli joined Belichick and the two eventually became the first personnel director/head coach tandem in league annals to win three Super Bowls during a four-year span (2001–2004). He and Belichick split the duties usually held by a general manager on most other NFL teams, though Belichick had the final say.
Pioli’s skills as a talent evaluator helped create a consistent championship contender in New England. He was regularly recognized for his ability to build a team, not simply collecting individual talent, helping to make the Patriots a "model franchise." From 2000–2008, the Patriots had an NFL-best record of 102-42 (.708) and registered 14 playoff victories. Pioli worked in close coordination with Belichick, bringing players to the Patriots who fit into the framework of the club’s team concept
New England Patriots strategy
The New England Patriots employ a variety of strategies during play. Since the arrival of head coach Bill Belichick in 2000, the Patriots have utilized an "Erhardt-Perkins" offense and a "Fairbanks-Bullough" 3-4 defense, referred to commonly as a 2-gap 3-4 defensive system.However, in 2011, the...
. Pioli and Belichick's teams were noted for the depth of talent at all the positions and used an effective combination of draft picks, free-agent signings, and trades to continually upgrade their roster. The most-notable selection in an NFL Draft
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
by Pioli and Belichick was quarterback Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, who was chosen 199th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft
2000 NFL Draft
The 2000 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur U.S. college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 15–16, 2000...
.
In his tenure with the Patriots, Pioli earned promotions from Assistant Director of Player Personnel to Director of Player Personnel in 2001, and to Vice President of Player Personnel in 2002
2002 New England Patriots season
The 2002 New England Patriots season was the 33rd season for the team in the National Football League and 43rd season overall. They finished with a 9–7 record, good enough for second in the division but not a playoff berth....
. Also, Pioli earned a contract extension in 2005
2005 New England Patriots season
The 2005 New England Patriots season was the 36th season for the team in the National Football League and 46th season overall. They finished with a 10–6 record and the division title before losing in the playoffs to the Denver Broncos....
after being pursued by several NFL teams to become general manager.
In 2007, the Patriots finished their regular season with a 16-0 record, a first in NFL history. The team advanced to Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII
Super Bowl XLII was an American football game on February 3, 2008 that featured the National Football Conference champion New York Giants and the American Football Conference champion New England Patriots to decide the National Football League champion for the 2007 season...
but lost to the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
17-14 and failed to finish the season with a perfect 19-0 record. Prior to the season, Pioli executed trades to acquire wide receivers Wes Welker
Wes Welker
-San Diego Chargers :Welker, who was not drafted during the 2004 NFL Draft, signed as an undrafted free agent with the San Diego Chargers. Welker made the Chargers out of training camp, but was released after the first game of the season.-2004 season:...
and Randy Moss
Randy Moss
Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
, both of whom helped the Patriots set multiple NFL records on offense.
Kansas City Chiefs
After the 2008 Patriots season2008 New England Patriots season
The 2008 New England Patriots season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and 49th season overall. Despite finishing the regular season with an 11–5 record, the Patriots did not qualify for the playoffs—becoming the first 11-win team since the expansion to a 12-team...
, Pioli was interviewed by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
to replace the recently fired Phil Savage
Phil Savage
Phillip "Phil" Savage, Jr. is a former general manager for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He is currently a player personnel executive for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was the senior vice president and general manager of the Browns from 2005–2008...
as the team's general manager. Though initially seen as a long-shot, Pioli was also interviewed by the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
and was reportedly the number one candidate to succeed Carl Peterson
Carl Peterson
Carl D. Peterson grew up in Long Beach, California, and is an alumnus of UCLA. He is best known as the former president, general manager, and chief executive officer of the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League...
as general manager. Pioli reportedly sought "total control" if hired, which seemed to conflict with Chiefs owner Clark Hunt
Clark Hunt
Clark Knobel Hunt is Chairman and CEO of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs and a founding investor-owner in Major League Soccer. Hunt also serves as Chairman of Hunt Sports Group, where he oversees the operations of FC Dallas and the Columbus Crew of MLS He is the son of Lamar Hunt...
's desire to hire someone to be in charge of just football operations. Hunt had kept his search almost entirely leak-proof, instructing subordinates that only he is to speak to the situation, and after reports that talks between the Chiefs and Pioli were intensifying, the Chiefs confirmed that Pioli was hired on January 13, 2009. Later that day, Belichick released the following statement to the press:
Pioli was introduced at a press conference in Kansas City the following day and refused to comment on the long-term status of Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards
Herman Edwards
Herman "Herm" Edwards, Jr. is an American football analyst who most recently coached in the National Football League for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was fired from this position on January 23, 2009. Since then, he has been hired as a football analyst for ESPN...
. On January 23, 2009, Pioli fired Edwards.
To replace Edwards, Pioli hired Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
offensive coordinator Todd Haley
Todd Haley
Todd Haley is the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League . Prior to joining the Chiefs, Haley served as the Arizona Cardinals' offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008, and was the wide receivers coach for the New York Jets, Chicago Bears, and Dallas Cowboys.-Early...
as head coach on February 5, 2009. Soon after, Pioli acquired quarterback Matt Cassel
Matt Cassel
Matthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel is a quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
from the Patriots; Cassel had led the Patriots to an 11–5 record in 2008
2008 New England Patriots season
The 2008 New England Patriots season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and 49th season overall. Despite finishing the regular season with an 11–5 record, the Patriots did not qualify for the playoffs—becoming the first 11-win team since the expansion to a 12-team...
after starter Tom Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1. In July 2009, Pioli and the Chiefs agreed to a six-year, $62.7 million contract extension with Cassel. Pioli also organized a trade with former colleague Thomas Dimitroff
Thomas Dimitroff
Thomas George Dimitroff, Jr. is the current general manager for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. Before joining the Falcons in 2008, Dimitroff was with the New England Patriots for six years...
, later the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, that sent longtime Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta.
Despite the offseason moves, the Chiefs in 2009
2009 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 2009 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 50th season, and first with head coach Todd Haley at the helm. It was also the first season with Scott Pioli as the team's general manager. The Chiefs attempted to improve on their 2–14 record from 2008 with the third overall selection in the...
could only match their 4–12 record in 2008
2008 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 2008 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 49th season, and third with head coach Herman Edwards at the helm. The Chiefs failed to improve on their 4-12 record from 2007 with the youngest team in the NFL as part of their "youth movement." The season turned out to be the worst in the...
. Following the season, Pioli hired former Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is the football team of the University of Notre Dame. The team is currently coached by Brian Kelly.Notre Dame competes as an Independent at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level, and is a founding member of the Bowl Championship Series coalition. It is an...
head coach Charlie Weis
Charlie Weis
Charles Joseph "Charlie" Weis is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators. For five years, from December 2004 through 2009, he was the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame...
as offensive coordinator and former Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
head coach Romeo Crennel
Romeo Crennel
Romeo Crennel is the former head coach of the Cleveland Browns and current defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. Before becoming the head coach of the Browns, Crennel won three Super Bowls in four seasons as the defensive coordinator of the New England...
as defensive coordinator; both held the same roles in New England for each of the three Super Bowl winning seasons during Pioli's tenure with the Patriots. In 2010
2010 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 2010 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League, the 51st overall and the second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Todd Haley and Scott Pioli. The team improved on its 4–12 record from 2009, and won their first AFC West division title...
, the Chiefs won their first AFC West
AFC West
The AFC West is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference, currently comprising the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Oakland Raiders.-History:...
division title since 2003
2003 Kansas City Chiefs season
The 2003 Kansas City Chiefs season resulted in a 13–3 record, beginning with a nine-game winning streak—the franchise’s best start in their 40-year history. The Chiefs won the AFC West and clinched the second seed in the playoffs...
.
Awards and honors
Pioli is the youngest and one of only three NFL executives to win the Sporting News' George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award in consecutive years, a feat he accomplished after winning the award for the second straight year following the 2004 season2004 New England Patriots season
The 2004 New England Patriots season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League and 45th season overall. They finished with their second straight 14–2 record before advancing to and winning Super Bowl XXXIX, their third Super Bowl victory in four years.Following a Super Bowl...
.
On June 24, 2009, ESPN.com announced its All-Decade Moments naming Scott Pioli Personnel Man of the Decade. "No one in the league does a better job of scouting their own team, and [at the Patriots] Pioli was orchestrating all of that."
2001 season
- Dallas Morning News – NFL Executive of the Year Award
2003 season
- Pro Football WeeklyPro Football WeeklyPro Football Weekly is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, that covers the National Football League...
– NFL Executive of the Year Award - Sporting News – George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award
- Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
– NFL Executive of the Year Award
2004 season
- NFL Players Association – Executive Achievement Award
- San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chroniclethumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
– Executive of the Year Award - Sporting News – George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award
- Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
– NFL Executive of the Year Award - USA TodayUSA TodayUSA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
– NFL Executive of the Year Award
2007 season
- Dallas Morning News – NFL Executive of the Year Award
- Pro Football WeeklyPro Football WeeklyPro Football Weekly is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, that covers the National Football League...
– NFL Executive of the Year Award - San Francisco ChronicleSan Francisco Chroniclethumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
– Executive of the Year Award
2010 season
- Pro Football WeeklyPro Football WeeklyPro Football Weekly is an American sports magazine, founded in 1967, that covers the National Football League...
– NFL Executive of the Year Award - Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
– NFL Executive of the Year Award
Personal
Pioli and his wife Dallas have a daughter named Mia Costa. Dallas is the daughter of former NFL head coach Bill ParcellsBill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
.
He currently serves on the board of directors for various non-profit foundations and serves on the board of directors for the College for Every Student Foundation, a national non-profit organization that partners with public schools in high-need communities to raise student aspirations and performance.
He established the Rose Pioli Scholarship in the name of his grandmother to benefit children of educators, professional firefighters, police and other emergency medical service providers.