Report: Cardinals coach Kingsbury, owner Bidwill to talk future Monday afternoon
Jan 9, 2023, 8:03 AM | Updated: 10:07 am
Editor’s note: Kliff Kingsbury has reportedly been fired as Arizona Cardinals head coach on Monday. Tune to Arizona Sports for live reaction and read more on ArizonaSports.com.
Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill will meet with head coach Kliff Kingsbury about the team’s future Monday afternoon, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The two, who meet regularly during the season, will presumably determine the next steps after a disappointing 4-13 season. That could include whether Kingsbury is part of the franchise’s future.
What time the meeting will take place was not reported, but the Cardinals said Kingsbury was expected to join Arizona Sports’ Wolf & Luke for their regular guest spot on Monday at 1:45 p.m. Kingsbury is also scheduled to speak with local reporters at 2 p.m. MST.
RELATED STORIES
A report by ESPN weeks before the end of the 2022 season had sources close to Kingsbury wondering if he wanted to remain with Arizona, although it might not end up being up to him. His struggles since the mid-point of the 2021 season could put the fourth-year head coach’s job in jeopardy if Bidwill wants a change in direction.
The Cardinals this offseason also must determine the future of general manager Steve Keim, who went on a health-related leave of absence on Dec. 14.
Various reports have indicated Bidwill has done research and information-gathering on internal and external candidates for both the head coach and GM positions that are not officially open. Reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer over the weekend indicated that internal candidates could be options if the owner decides to move on from either Kingsbury or Keim.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph could be considered for head coach, while VP of player personnel Quentin Harris and VP of pro personnel Adrian Wilson could be candidates at general manager.
Kingsbury said last week heading into a season-ending loss to the San Francisco 49ers that he had yet to discuss his future or the team’s upcoming offseason with Bidwill.
“We’ve talked with (Bidwill) — I have every day — and so at this point it’s just about trying to win this game,” Kingsbury said Friday when asked if the coaching staff has been reassured of their jobs. “So, we haven’t talked postseason, we haven’t talked moves, anything like that. It’s just about current issues and trying to win.”
