ARIZONA CARDINALS

MMQB: Cardinals’ Todd Bowles considered among top minority head coaching candidates

Dec 18, 2013, 11:26 PM | Updated: 11:26 pm

By the end of the 2012 season, Todd Bowles had all but worn out his welcome in the City of Brotherly Love.

After taking over as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive coordinator on an interim basis mid-season, the team dropped nine of their last 10 games and allowed an average of 32.9 points per game.

When Chip Kelly took over as Eagles’ new head coach, Bowles was not asked to return and frankly no one really batted an eye at the decision.

But what a difference a year can make.

Now serving as the Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator, Bowles’ 2013 performance — Cardinals ranked No. 1 in rush defense, No. 7 in total defense and No. 8 in points allowed — has earned him recognition that would have seemed almost impossible just a season ago.

As MMQB.com detailed in its daily newsletter, after 14 straight white head coaches and general manager were hired last year, the NFL enlisted the help of an eight-person panel made up of former GMs and coaches — including Bill Polian, Tony Dungy, Ron Wolf and John Madden — to create a list of notable coaching and GM candidates for future hires, with an emphasis on minorities.

While the Career Development Advisory Panel’s final list has not yet been revealed, according to MMQB.com, Bowles, Lovie Smith, Jim Caldwell, Mel Tucker and former Arizona defensive coordinator Ray Horton are among the committee’s top candidates.

The 50-year-old defensive coordinator played nine seasons in the NFL with Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers before becoming a coach in 1996. Bowles’ lone head coaching experience came back in 2011, when he served on an interim basis for the Miami Dolphins. He went 2-1 in the team’s final three games.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Monti Ossenfort looks on...

Vincent DeAngelis

PFF’s Spielberger grades Cardinals’ free agent class among worst in NFL

PFF's Brad Spielberger gave the Cardinals' free agent class a "C" grade in his latest rankings. It was the worst grade among all 32 teams.

4 hours ago

Jonah Williams pressure Sam Darnold...

Tyler Drake

Report: Free agent DL Jonah Williams visiting Arizona Cardinals this week

Defensive lineman Jonah Williams is visiting the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings this week, according to Aaron Wilson.

13 hours ago

Casita seating at the Arizona Cardinals' State Farm Stadium...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals’ new suite options at State Farm Stadium include casitas

The Arizona Cardinals on Monday announced new luxury seating options for 2024, including custom casita suites at State Farm Stadium.

17 hours ago

Justin Fields...

Associated Press

Quarterback carousel: Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers to clear way for top pick

The Chicago Bears traded quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night for draft compensation.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Report: Cardinals QB Kyler Murray’s 2025 guarantees kick in

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray had nearly $30 million guaranteed for the 2025 season kick in by remaining on Arizona's roster by Saturday.

2 days ago

Paris Johnson Jr. celebrates with Kyler Murray...

Tyler Drake

Which side of the line will Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. command in 2024?

Even before the Cardinals released D.J. Humphries, there was already talk of Paris Johnson Jr. making the switch from right to left.

3 days ago

MMQB: Cardinals’ Todd Bowles considered among top minority head coaching candidates