CARDINALS CORNER

Jonathan Gannon’s confidence on display in 1st real day on Cards’ job

Feb 17, 2023, 10:02 AM
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)
(Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)

TEMPE — Adaptable. Violent. Explosive. Smart.

New Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was straight to the point during his introductory press conference when talking about what he envisions from his team.

In what was a refreshing change of pace from the previous regime, Gannon didn’t look for the easy way out of questions or leave things vaguer than they need to be — even with a few changes in lighting or his kid Angelo trying to steal the show.

Instead, he sat front and center and confidently lined out his blueprint for what he wants this organization to be.

And unlike the old head coach, the new one seemed in lockstep with owner Michael Bidwill and GM Monti Ossenfort.

“I would say I’m the guy for the job,” Gannon said Thursday when asked why he was the right fit for Arizona. “Just talking with Michael and Monti, I’m very excited to get started and on our vision of how we want to run the football team.

“I would say that any job I’ve ever taken, there’s always a big-time challenge ahead of you and I’ve succeeded in all of those, starting from the ground floor of the business all the way up until this seat. What I don’t know about the job, I’ll figure out fast and I’ll lean on the people that I can trust and lean on and we’re going to get it rolling.”

During the course of Gannon’s press conference that spanned more than 40 minutes, the head coach provided what he could no more than three days into his new role.

Topics ranged from his time in Philadelphia — and his infamous quote on not having a scheme — the whirlwind of the past week or so, his coming up through the NFL ranks as a coach, his life as a scout, his family and mentors and everything else in between.

And above all else, what he expects out of his players and the standard he wants across the board.

“When people do the right thing that shows that’s winning behavior. You’re going to see that in our guys. … As hard as we’re going to be on our guys, we’re going to love them up even more. That’s how you win games. I think that ultimately, we’re going to show them the way that we want things done.

“The players sitting here right now are going to take it over, because the ultimate accountability comes from not wanting to let your teammate down and how you’re going about your business. There are a lot of different ways to get that done and I look forward to doing that with our guys. That’ll be one of the major things that we hold our hat on.”

Aside from content of Gannon’s answers throughout his press conference, one thing stood out more than the rest:

His confident demeanor.

For being a first-time NFL head coach with the task of turning around the record and culture of a franchise, Gannon acted like he had been there before. He’s not oblivious to the challenge, but rather determined to hit the ground running.

“That’s how I’ve been shaped my whole life growing up and had some success playing and coaching,” Gannon said when asked about the confidence he carries. “I’ve been on some good teams, I’ve been on some bad teams, too. But just the belief in myself and what’s in my brain and what’s in my heart. I know it to be true.

“I also think I’m not afraid to learn and change. That’s what I mean when taking everyone’s opinion into consideration. … There’s a lot of people that know a lot more than me and once you realize that, you have the ability to improve your game and grow. I actively seek that out. That’s how I’ve always been.”

First impressions from an introductory press conference can do one of two things: instill confidence in the hire or pile on even more negativity for a franchise.

In his first real day on the job, Gannon accomplished the former.

Now, it’s onto filling out the coaching staff, diving into the early stages of free agency and looking toward the draft.

As Gannon would say, “buckle up.”

Cardinals Corner

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon speaks with reporters during the annual league meeting...
Tyler Drake

‘Games aren’t won in free agency’: Gannon pushes back on perception of Cards’ moves

The Cardinals' offseason haul of free agents hasn't received much fanfare from many who follow the team or those on the outside looking in.
1 day ago
Colt McCoy #12 of the Arizona Cardinals and Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warm up prior ...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals ‘feel really good’ at QB as Kyler Murray preps for next phase of rehab

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray is making steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL suffered last season.
3 days ago
Arizona Cardinals star backer Isaiah Simmons (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...
Tyler Drake

Isaiah Simmons remains positionless in Cardinals’ new-look defense

The Cardinals have a decision to make when it comes down to Isaiah Simmons. And no, it's not centered around the fifth-year option.
4 days ago
DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals is called for a personal foul penalty against Eric Sto...
Tyler Drake

Jonathan Gannon operating under premise DeAndre Hopkins will be a Card

While the trade chatter surrounding wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins continues, he's a Cardinal until he isn't in HC Jonathan Gannon's eyes.
3 days ago
General manager Monti Ossenfort of the Arizona Cardinals speaks to the media during the NFL Combine...
Tyler Drake

2023 NFL Mock Draft Tracker: What will the Cardinals do with 3rd pick?

A look at the players being mocked to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
6 days ago
Defensive back Christian Gonzalez #0 of the Oregon Ducks returns an interception in the third quart...
Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ mock draft scenarios: Arizona deals the No. 3 pick

Trade the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft or keep it? That’s the question Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort will have to answer soon enough.
8 days ago
Jonathan Gannon’s confidence on display in 1st real day on Cards’ job