KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The most accurate description of Dave Toub may be that he’s a special teams savant.

He’s able to make the rudimentary plays in a football game, kickoffs and punts, seem downright exhilarating. He’s able to get guys who’d rather be playing offense or defense to volunteer for kick coverage or a field-goal unit. He’s able to coax points out of places they shouldn’t be scored.

In fact, what he’s helped Kansas City accomplish through its first 13 games has only been matched or exceeded seven times since 1941, and two of those were by units that Toub coached in Chicago: The Chiefs already have two punt return touchdowns and two kickoff return touchdowns.

“He loves special teams,” explained wide receiver Dexter McCluster, who has both of the Chiefs’ punt return touchdowns. “He probably wakes up and watches film in his bathroom.”

It’s hard to find guys with that kind of zeal for special teams.

The job usually comes under the microscope only when an important field goal is missed, or when an opponent springs a big return of its own. It’s a thankless task. And not surprisingly, coaches tend to gravitate toward sexier positions on offense or defense as soon as they can.

But for Toub, who tried and failed to make it in the NFL as an offensive lineman out of UTEP, the position is also a passion. He spent time as a defensive line coach in the college ranks, but has been coaching special teams since joining Andy Reid’s staff in Philadelphia in 2001.