Report: Former Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter to interview with Cardinals
Jan 15, 2019, 10:13 AM | Updated: 11:19 am
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will interview with the Arizona Cardinals for their opening at the same position Tuesday, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cooter, 34, held the OC position in Detroit from 2015 to 2018 after joining the organization in 2014 as quarterbacks coach under former head coach Jim Caldwell. First-year head coach Matt Patricia retained Cooter in 2018 before they mutually parted ways on Jan. 1.
Under Cooter, Lions quarterback Matt Stafford has put together some of his better NFL seasons. His completion percentages were in the 50s in four of his first five seasons but have been 60 percent or better in five years with Cooter on staff, plus better than 65 percent the last four seasons.
Stafford also cut down on his interceptions under Cooter since 2014, throwing 128 touchdowns to 56 picks.
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Prior to landing with the Lions, Cooter served as a Denver Broncos offensive assistant (2013), Kansas City Chiefs quality control coordinator (2012) and Indianapolis Colts offensive assistant (2009-11).
According to multiple reports, Arizona has also considered former Vikings OC John DeFilippo, former Falcons OC Steve Sarkisian and former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo for the offensive coordinator opening.
Arizona has already filled several offensive assistant positions under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, who said in his introductory press conference that he will call plays.
The Cardinals announced Sean Kugler as offensive line coach, Brian Natkin as Kugler’s assistant and David Raih as wide receivers coach. A report from NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala on Monday indicated that Arizona was set to hire running backs coach James Saxon.
