ARIZONA CARDINALS

Report: Arizona Cardinals will look to hire new defensive coordinator from within

Jan 14, 2015, 9:48 PM | Updated: 10:36 pm

With Todd Bowles leaving to become the head coach of the New York Jets, the Arizona Cardinals are in need of a defensive coordinator.

And though there are some intriguing names on the market, it appears Cardinals coach Bruce Arians is looking within to find his next coordinator.

LeBeau has been linked to the Cardinals ever since he stepped down as the defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, though at 77 it’s very possible he may be looking for a bit of a reduced role at his next job.

However, as Somers noted, it is unclear which assistant would be the “next man up” for the defensive coordinator job. Current defensive assistants include linebackers coach Mike Caldwell, outside linebackers coach James Bettcher, defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, defensive backs coach Nick Rapone, cornerbacks coach Kevin Ross and pass rush specialist Tom Pratt.

Caldwell may be one of the most qualified to take over, though he has been linked to the Jets as Bowles’ defensive coordinator. Rapone has experience as a defensive coordinator, having done so at the collegiate level (most recently from 2006-12 for the University of Delaware), while Ross has been coaching since 1999.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

1 day ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

2 days ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

3 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

3 days ago

Report: Arizona Cardinals will look to hire new defensive coordinator from within