Arizona Cardinals could be going defensive with new coach
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals rumored short list of remaining possibilities for their new head coach includes two defensive coaches
According to reports, the Arizona Cardinals seem more interested in a defensive-minded coach rather than an offensive-minded one for their open head coaching position. One of those guys is Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher.
Many fans don’t want to see Bettcher, although personally is a favorite of yours truly. Bettcher brings familiarity and continuity. However he is not the only guy the Cardinals have narrowed their choice down to.
Rumors also say New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores and Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur are still in the running. Both teams are still in the playoffs.
The Patriots we know are already playing next Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. The Vikings play Sunday afternoon against the New Orleans Saints in a NFC Divisional Playoff Game.
The Cardinals could wait for either guy. The question is, why wait though if Bettcher was their number one guy? Best guess is he isn’t.
Shurmur is the offensive mind many Cardinals fans would like to see. That should be the direction the Cardinals go in if they decide against Bettcher.
If the Cardinals do decide to wait on Flores or Shurmur, they could meet with either one of them again during the weekend in between the championship games and the Super Bowl. That’s if they would agree to meet while preparing for a possible Super Bowl.
Then again, it could all be moot if the Vikings are eliminated on Sunday or if either or both are eliminated next Sunday. Bettcher could still get a second interview this week.
The Cardinals have familiarity with Bettcher though, so not sure what a second interview would accomplish with him? Don’t be surprised if the Cardinals have a Flores or Shurmur in fold by two Sunday’s from now.
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Their choice will come from the group of first interviews conducted. I can’t see a surprise candidate jumping into the pool now.