ARIZONA CARDINALS

Arizona Cardinals defenders hope Horton stays

Dec 31, 2012, 9:54 PM | Updated: 10:59 pm

TEMPE, Ariz. — Calais Campbell did not know it at the time, but when he told the assembled media Monday that when he spoke highly about defensive coordinator Ray Horton, he may have been talking about his future head coach.

May have, anyway.

With news that the Cardinals fired Ken Whisenhunt Monday came the natural question of who the team would get to replace him. Whisenhunt, after all, was in charge for the last six years and had some success, so people wonder what’s next for the franchise.

It’s been speculated that Horton would be in line for the job — or a top job somewhere.

“That’s the nature of the business, we know how it goes,” Campbell said. “He will be a great head coach in this league, so I wouldn’t be mad at him if that happened.

“It’s just the way the business is, but I love playing for him and I hope I can play for him for a long time.”

To a man, everyone on the defense was hopeful Horton would not go anywhere. Linebacker Daryl Washington said “hopefully he somehow does stay” and cornerback Patrick Peterson lamented the fact that the defense would have to start over if Horton left.

Every player understands it’s possible Horton has coached them for the last time, though as of now it appears there’s a chance one of the game’s rising coaching stars will stick around.

“He’s important to us,” safety Kerry Rhodes said. “He’s brought a different mentality for us on that side of the ball and he’s a guy that we know is a hot commodity, we know that teams are going to come after him.”

At a Monday afternoon press conference, team president Michael Bidwill confirmed that Horton will indeed be among the first candidates to be interviewed for the post.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Joshua Dobbs in Week 2...

Tyler Drake

New era notes: It’s all about trusting the process for Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs

Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs has had quite the NFL road to get to where he is today.

14 hours ago

Leki Fotu (Tyler Drake/Arizona Sports)...

Arizona Sports

Injury report: Cardinals’ Leki Fotu back at practice after missing Week 2

The banged up Arizona Cardinals are searching for their first win of the year when they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.

16 hours ago

Jeff Smith #16 of the New York Jets caries the ball during the first quarter of a preseason game ag...

Kellan Olson

Arizona Cardinals sign WR Jeff Smith to practice squad

The Arizona Cardinals made an addition to the practice squad on Wednesday, signing wide receiver Jeff Smith.

19 hours ago

Carlos Watkins...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Carlos Watkins needs biceps surgery, L.J. Collier on the mend

Carlos Watkins is expected to miss time with a biceps injury that needs surgery, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed Wednesday.

20 hours ago

Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray works out...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray posts rehab video: Is his return ‘soon’?

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray ended a TikTok post of some ACL rehab work with 'soon.' Is that a sign he's near a return?

21 hours ago

Dante Stills at practice...

Tyler Drake

New era notes: It’s next-man-up time for the Arizona Cardinals defensive line

Despite availability issues ripping through the Arizona Cardinals defensive line room, DC Nick Rallis is confident in the group's depth.

2 days ago

Arizona Cardinals defenders hope Horton stays