Arizona Cardinals agree to a deal with Sean Kugler as offensive line coach
Jan 13, 2019, 1:15 PM | Updated: 2:54 pm
(AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
(AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Sean Kugler has agreed to a deal to be the Arizona Cardinals new offensive line coach, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s John Gambadoro.
Kugler was also drawing interest from the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 52-year old is coming over from the Denver Broncos following his 12th season in the NFL.
In 2017, the Broncos had the second-most inexperienced offensive line (181 combined starts) and were tied with the Cardinals for the third-most sacks allowed (52).
Following the hire of Kugler, the 2018 Broncos allowed the 10th-fewest amount of sacks (34) while having the sixth-most inexperienced offensive line in the league (247 combined starts) and 12th-best rushing attack (119.2 yards a game).
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Comparatively, the Cardinals allowed 52 sacks (fifth-most) while fielding the 11th-most experienced offensive line in the league (320 combined starts) and being last in the NFL in rushing yards per game (83.9)
To be fair, the Cardinals put seven offensive linemen on IR this year, most notably A.Q. Shipley one week into training camp, leaving rookie Mason Cole as the team’s sole 16-game starter.
Kugler has 29 years of coaching experience at all levels, 19 of which are exclusively as an O-line coach.
Prior to his one year with Denver, Kugler was the head coach at UTEP from 2013-17.
He was also the assistant head coach for the 2006 Boise State Broncos that are most famously known for the “Statue of Liberty” play that beat Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. That team was the only undefeated team in college football that year while also having the sixth-best rushing attack in the country at 214.2 rushing yards a game.
Kugler has spent time with the Lions, Bills and Steelers, getting the likes of Jason Peters and Maurkice Pouncey to their first three pro bowls each.
In each of his three years in Buffalo, Kugler’s offensive line blocked for a 1,000 yard rusher in Marshawn Lynch (2007-08) and Fred Jackson (2009).
