The Arizona Cardinals have initiated a comprehensive search for their next head coach, compiling a list of thirteen potential candidates for interviews. This rigorous process follows the departure of Jonathan Gannon, marking a pivotal moment for the team's future leadership. Among the most recent individuals to receive an interview request is Arthur Smith, currently the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, bringing a wealth of experience from various coaching positions across the National Football League.
Arthur Smith's coaching journey in the NFL began in 2007 with the Washington Redskins, where he served as a defensive quality control coach for two seasons. After a brief period in collegiate football, Smith returned to the NFL in 2011, joining the Tennessee Titans. During his decade-long tenure with the Titans, he held a diverse range of roles, including defensive quality control coach, offensive quality control coach, offensive line coach, assistant tight ends coach, and tight ends coach. His dedication and strategic insights eventually led to his promotion to offensive coordinator in 2019, a position he maintained for two successful seasons. This period with the Titans saw him collaborate with multiple head coaches, including Mike Munchak, Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Mularkey, and Mike Vrabel, contributing to his broad understanding of different coaching philosophies and team dynamics.
Following his impactful time as offensive coordinator, Smith took on the role of head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, a position he held for three years. Each season with the Falcons concluded with a 7-10 record. After his departure from Atlanta, Smith moved to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 to assume the role of offensive coordinator, showcasing his continuous involvement in high-level NFL coaching. Notably, during Smith's final year as the Titans' offensive coordinator, Monti Ossenfort, now the Cardinals' general manager, was in his inaugural year as the director of player personnel for the Tennessee organization, suggesting a pre-existing professional relationship and familiarity with Smith's capabilities.
The Cardinals' extensive list of thirteen candidates reflects their thorough approach to finding the right leader. This list includes a mix of defensive coordinators, offensive coordinators, and former head coaches from various NFL teams. Among them are Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos DC), Anthony Weaver (Miami Dolphins DC), Matt Nagy (Kansas City Chiefs OC), Robert Saleh (San Francisco 49ers DC), Klint Kubiak (Seattle Seahawks OC), Raheem Morris (Former Atlanta Falcons HC), Thomas Brown (New England Patriots passing game coordinator/tight ends coach), Jeff Hafley (Green Bay Packers DC), Mike LaFleur (Los Angeles Rams OC), Chris Shula (Los Angeles Rams DC), Matt Burke (Houston Texans DC), Jesse Minter (Los Angeles Chargers DC), and the aforementioned Arthur Smith. The team has also made initial contact with other individuals, such as Jim Harbaugh, indicating that the search is broad and inclusive.
The Arizona Cardinals are currently engaged in a comprehensive evaluation process to identify their next head coach. With thirteen candidates already interviewed or scheduled for interviews, including prominent figures like Arthur Smith, the team is meticulously assessing a diverse pool of talent to lead the franchise forward. The thoroughness of this search underscores the organization's commitment to securing a leader who can guide them to future success.