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Arizona Cardinals assemble good coaching staff

By Scott Allen

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: An end zone marker is shown featuring an NFL 'Salute to Service' logo before a game between St Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. The NFL recognizes Veterans Day and honors the military with their 'Salute to Service' campaign. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 09: An end zone marker is shown featuring an NFL 'Salute to Service' logo before a game between St Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 9, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. The NFL recognizes Veterans Day and honors the military with their 'Salute to Service' campaign. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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New Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks wasted little time in assembling a winning coaching staff

This past week the Arizona Cardinals announced the assistant coaches that they hired under new head coach Steve Wilks.  The three coordinators we already knew about, Mike McCoy as offensive coordinator, Al Holcomb as defensive coordinator, and Jeff Rodgers as special teams coordinator.

The Cardinals got three very strong coordinators so the only thing they could do was back it up with a strong staff of assistants.  There was a good mix of returning coaches from under Bruce Arians and a number of new assistants.

Six coaches in all from Arians staff returned.  They include Kevin Garver (receivers), Larry Foote (linebackers), Buddy Morris (strength and conditioning),  Steve Heiden (assistant offensive line), quarterback coach Byron Leftwich, and Bill Bidwill Fellowship/running back coach Terry Allen.

You’ll notice that the receiver and quarterback coaches remained the same? That certainly isn’t by coincidence.

The new faces include offensive line coach Ray Brown.  He was with Wilks in Carolina.  He also played in the NFL for 20 years, including three with the Cardinals.

Another new face but not unfamiliar with the team is running backs coach Kirby Wilson.  He was also with the Cardinals under Dennis Green.  He spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

One other familiar face on the staff is that of David Merritt.  He will coach the defensive backs.  He too played for the Cardinals at one point.  He comes over from the New York Giants.

The other assistants are Don Johnson (defensive line), Jason Michael (tight ends), Chris Achuff (assistant defensive line), Charlie Harbison (assistant defensive backs), Cameron Turner (offensive assistant), Alsono Escalante (defensive quality control), Troy Rothenbuhler (offensive quality control), Randall McCray (assistant special teams), and Ben Buress (assistant to head coach).  Turner and Buress worked with Wilks in Carolina as well.

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It is a quality staff that has been assembled from all around.  It will take some time for everyone to gel but we can’t wait until later in the spring when everyone is out on the field practicing.

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