Ranking the head coaches of the Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals since 1988
The Arizona Cardinals, once the Phoenix Cardinals, have had a lot of turnover at the head coaching position since moving to the desert in 1988. From Gene Stallings to Bruce Arians and everyone in between, each brought something to the table but only a few have been able to lead them to the postseason.
As the Phoenix Cardinals for the first six years in Arizona, the team started out strong in their initial season but toiled towards the bottom of the NFC East for much of the 1990’s. A change to the Arizona Cardinals in 1994 did bring a little change in their fortunes as they went 8-8 and had their first non-losing season in Arizona.
However it wasn’t until 1998 did the Cardinals reach the postseason for the first time, 10 years after their move from St. Louis. Once 1998 passed, it would be 10 more years again until the Cardinals reached the postseason in 2008. Of course we all know the run the Cardinals made to the Super Bowl that season.
That success was short lived though. After another postseason appearance in 2009, the Cardinals were done with the playoffs until 2014. A lot of that had to do with the instability of the quarterback position but the fortunes really started changing with a coaching and general manager change in 2013.
Since 2013, the Cardinals have gone 10-6, 11-5, and 13-3, missing the playoffs by just one game in 2013. That season it came down to the final week before they were eliminated from the playoffs.
Now a look at the head coaches the Cardinals have had since they moved to Arizona. All of them have had their moments but some shined brightly while some only had that moment of glimmer in the sun. Only included in this ranking are coaches that coached a full season in Arizona, so not included is Hank Kuhlmann who coached the final five games of 1989.
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