KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Kansas City Chiefs have hired former Nevada coach Chris Ault, the innovator of the "pistol" offensive formation that has swept through the NFL, to serve as a special consultant.

Ault's agent, Bob LaMonte, confirmed the hiring to The Associated Press on Monday. It was first reported by the Reno Gazette-Journal, which covered Ault during his college coaching years.

It wasn't clear exactly what his duties will be with the Chiefs.

The pistol offensive formation lines up the quarterback a few yards behind center, but short of the traditional shotgun formation. The idea is to give the quarterback, particularly those with the ability to run the option, more versatility immediately after the snap.

Ault utilized the offense at Nevada with Colin Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl this past season.