Latest names, updates on Cardinals’ search for new head coach

Jan 17, 2018, 4:09 PM | Updated: 5:33 pm

The NFL moves quickly.

Before the end of a Monday on Jan. 1 that saw former Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians retire, there were already a few names being reportedly linked to the open head coaching position.

With the job general manager Steve Keim has done assembling a talented roster and the team’s recent performance despite a slew of injuries, the job looks to be one of the more appealing post-Black Monday.

From the day since Arians retired to over a week later, the Cardinals had their first round of interviews.

Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher met with Keim Jan. 3, and Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur did so the day after. Jan. 5 was a trip to Philadelphia, where the Cardinals interviewed Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in the afternoon and Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo in the evening.

Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores met with Arizona the next day while Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak wrapped up the weekend with a meeting on Jan. 7.

That left Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and Atlanta Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong. Armstrong was on Jan. 8 and Wilks was two days later on Jan. 10.

In the week after the divisional playoffs, there have been major developments.

Shurmur is reportedly expected to take the head coaching job with the New York Giants, making him the first candidate out of the running.

Another job opened, though, as the Tennesee Titans fired Mike Mularkey, freeing up a spot that Wilks was reportedly set to interview for.

There was buzz regarding Flores in Arizona. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported he is “very much in play” for the Cardinals.

On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Munchak will have a second interview and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported DeFilippo is expected to have a second interview once the Eagles’ postseason concludes.

That interview for Munchak, though, was declined by him the following day. He issued a statement on why he turned it down.

The first scheduled second interview is reportedly with Armstrong, who will have it on Friday. Soon after, it was reported Wilks will also have his second interview.

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Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks

The 48-year-old assistant head coach and defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers, right, has a specialty as a defensive backs coach having been one himself. Wilks has been a defensive backs coach in the NFL since 2006, having spent time with the Chicago Bears and San Diego Chargers. Prior, he coached various positions in college at Washington, Notre Dame, Bowling Green, East Tennessee State, Appalachian State, Illinois State and Savannah State. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

Philadelphia Eagles QB coach John DeFilippo
DeFilippo, 39, has reportedly been on general manager Steve Keim’s radar for some time, according to Ian Rapoport. He has been the quarterbacks coach in Oakland working with Derek Carr before spending one year as the offensive coordinator of the Browns. His most recent work with Carson Wentz in Philadelphia has him as one of the hotter coaching names in the league.
(AP Photo/David Richard)

Atlanta Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong
The 54-year-old, left, is no stranger to interviews for head coaching jobs and will have his latest with the Cardinals. Armstrong has been a special teams coach in the NFL since 1997, spending four years with the Bears, seven with the Dolphins and the last 10 with the Falcons.
(AP photo/Bob Leverone)

New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, left, talks with coaching assistant Steve Belichick, right, during practice Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. The Patriots play the Seattle Seahawks in NFL football Super Bowl XLIX Sunday, Feb. 1. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

New England Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores
The third name in New England being linked to open head coaching positions, Flores, right, has been with the Patriots since 2004. Working all the way up like Patricia from a scouting assistant at the age of 23 to the safeties coach in 2012, Flores spent four seasons with the safeties before coaching the linebackers for the past two seasons.
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher
To no surprise, the Cardinals have Bettcher as an in-house candidate, according to Rapoport. The 39-year-old started in the NFL with the Colts in 2012 as the outside linebackers coach. He came with Arians to Arizona in 2013, serving as outside linebackers coach for two years before being promoted to DC in 2015. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz speaks with members of the media during a news conference at the team's NFL football training facility in Philadelphia, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

In this July 27, 2017, file photo, Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, left, and head coach Mike Zimmer watch practice during NFL football training camp in Mankato, Minn. The Vikings have managed to withstand the loss of their starting quarterback and running back in the first quarter of the season with a balanced attack, quality depth and a vastly improved offensive line. Coordinator Pat Shurmur has quietly done a masterful job of keeping the offense running. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File)

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak answers a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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