Clayton: Shurmur ‘hottest candidate’ for Cardinals’ coaching job
Jan 5, 2018, 10:02 AM
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, in Minneapolis. One of the reasons the Vikings have blossomed into a Super Bowl contender this season is the influence of offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who has become a hot candidate for several open head coach vacancies around the league. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
With the Arizona Cardinals’ head coaching search in full effect, multiple coaches are meeting with front office brass, but one coach is consider a favorite, according to NFL insider John Clayton.
After going through the list of names that are/were scheduled for interviews with the team, Clayton believes that Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has the best shot at taking over the reins in Arizona.
Shurmur met the organization on Thursday.
“What I like about (Shurmur) is what he does with quarterbacks and then again that is one of the key models right now,” Clayton said on The Doug & Wolf Show on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Obviously if you can get a good coach that can put together a good staff, and he’s been around long enough that I think he’s going to be able to put together a good staff, that you can make a rise even if you are making a quarterback change.
“Look what he’s done over the last couple years, He gets Sam Bradford and Bradford throws 71 percent completions. Then this year he takes Case Keenum and now they’re a No. 2 seed, he’s getting 24 points a game out of Case Keenum. He just seems to be hitting stride with everything that he does, with the quarterbacks, with the offense and the other thing that helps too is his head coaching experience.”
Shurmur was one of the first coaches linked to the Arizona job the same day former head coach Bruce Arians announced his retirement.
An offensive-minded coach, Shurmur got his first NFL coaching gig with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. He helped develop former quarterback Donovan McNabb into one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the 2004 season. Under Shurmur, McNabb threw 31 touchdowns and just eight interceptions on the way to Super Bowl XXXIX.
He took over as offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams, helping quarterback Sam Bradford set NFL rookie records in pass completions and attempts. Shurmur was also on staff when running back Steven Jackson secured his 2009 rushing title.
Shurmur got his first NFL head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns, posting a 9-23 record in two seasons. After 2012, he headed back to Philadelphia as the offensive coordinator under then-head coach Chip Kelly.
Under Shurmur’s guidance, quarterback Nick Foles flourished in 2013, throwing for 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He also recorded the third-best quarterback rating (119.2) and third-lowest interception percentage (0.63). His biggest game of the year came when he tossed seven touchdowns against the Oakland Raiders.
In 2016, Shurmur took over the interim offensive coordinator duties for nine games in Minnesota before he was named the Vikings offensive coordinator for a 2017 season where the Vikings hold the No. 2 seed in the NFC with Keenum, who was a backup before taking over starting duties.
“With the experience that he has, what he’s able to do with offense, his knowledge of coaching staffs, I think he’s one of the hottest, if not the hottest candidate,” Clayton said.
