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ARIZONA CARDINALS

Report: Cardinals have 3 lead candidates in head-coaching search

The Arizona Cardinals reportedly have three lead candidates in their head-coaching search.

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The Arizona Cardinals have three lead candidates in their head-coaching search, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

The Cardinals are reportedly considering Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.

Russini’s report on Saturday follows ESPN’s Adam Schefter telling The Pat McAfee Show on Friday that those same candidates were the three he believed Arizona remains interested in. 

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Campanile is the only known candidate among the trio to have interviewed twice with the Cardinals. Campanile reportedly had his second interview on Thursday.

The 43-year-old served as Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator this past season. In his first season with the Jaguars, Campanile helped Jacksonville rank first in rushing yards allowed (85.6 per game), 11th in fewest yards allowed (303.6) and eighth in fewest points allowed (19.8).

Before his time in Jacksonville, Campanile had prior NFL stops with Green Bay (2024) and Miami (2020-23). He worked as a linebackers coach for both the Dolphins and the Packers, the latter team he was also a run game coordinator for.

Campanile also interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens for their open head-coaching job.

LaFleur, the brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, has been the Rams’ offensive coordinator since 2023.

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He helped the Rams lead the league in total yards per game (394.6), total yards gained (6,709), passing yards (4,557), passing yards per game (268.1), points per game (30.5) and total points (518) during the 2025 regular season.

Morris is the only one among the trio of names with previous head-coaching experience. He had an in-person interview with Arizona a week after his firing as the Falcons head coach.

During his two seasons in Atlanta, Morris posted a 16-18 record. He also served as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ head coach from 2009-11 and went 17-31. He later worked as the Rams’ defensive coordinator from 2021-23.

Not mentioned by Russini or Schefter is Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver who reportedly has a second interview with the Cardinals scheduled for Sunday.

David Veenstra ArizonaSports.com editor

David Veenstra is a web content editor and writer for ArizonaSports.com and KTAR.com. Prior to joining Arizona Sports and KTAR, he graduated from the University of Oregon for his bachelor’s degree in journalism and Arizona State University for his… Read more

Comments

21 Comments

B
B Fan 7 months ago

12, 12, 12, TWELVE!!!!!! There are right now 12 available experienced NFL Head Coaches and yet we are choosing between 3 more total debacles to be our next former Head Coach!!
The following are available today and all posses Proven Winning Track Records! Moreover they have each PROVEN that they can assemble top Coaching staffs that can develop youngsters the right way!
1. Sean McDermott
2. Mike Tomlin
3. Brian Flores
4. Jason Garrett
5. John Gruden
6. Bill Belichek
7. Marvin Lewis
8. Gary Kubiak
9. Mike Zimmer
10. Chuck Pagano
11. Mike Smith
12. Rex Ryan

ANY of these would be a far better CHOICE than any of these projects we are choosing between!!

The Giants like winning Super Bowls, so does the Ravens, Broncos and Steelers! They actually back it up when they say they will do whatever it takes!

Where as our Attorney Mikey chooses a coach on the cheapest basis possible then goes to the local fountain throws a penny and makes a wish.. And then wonders why it didn’t work out!

Mike back up your talk! We are an embarrassment!

B
BamaFan InAZ 7 months ago

These aren't real candidates to any team besides the Cardinals and the raiders. Man I do feel for you Cardinals fans, your owner is just horrible.

S
Sarka Scarpulla 7 months ago

Left-overs....