The Arizona Cardinals have begun their search for a new head coach after parting ways with Jonathan Gannon following a disappointing 2025 season. The team finished with a 3-14 record, the most losses in a single season in franchise history, which led to the decision to fire Gannon on January 5, 2026. Gannon’s tenure ended after three seasons in Arizona, where he compiled a 15-36 overall record and struggled to produce consistent success. The Cardinals now hold the third-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft as they look to rebuild the team and select its next leader.
General manager Monti Ossenfort and the Cardinals’ front office have reportedly begun reaching out to potential candidates as the coaching search gets underway. Among the first coaches expected to interview for the position is Vance Joseph, the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. Joseph has previous ties to the Cardinals, having served as the team’s defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022 under former head coach Kliff Kingsbury, and his work in Denver — where the Broncos secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs — has made him an attractive candidate.
Another reported candidate is Robert Saleh, the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. Saleh has prior head-coaching experience, having led the New York Jets from 2021 to 2024, and the Cardinals have requested to interview him as they consider his background in defensive leadership and NFL experience.
Cardinals officials have also requested an interview with Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, who helped guide the team to a top seed in the NFC playoffs. Kubiak’s résumé includes familiarity with offensive systems and lineage in coaching, as he is the son of former NFL head coach Gary Kubiak.
Anthony Weaver, the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, is also on the Cardinals’ interview list. Weaver played in the NFL from 2002 to 2008 and has since transitioned into coaching, where his defensive acumen has gained attention around the league. The Cardinals have also reached out to Thomas Brown, the passing game coordinator for the New England Patriots, a team that enjoyed a strong 14-3 season and a substantial turnaround in 2025.
Another coach set to interview with Arizona is Raheem Morris, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. Morris’s experience leading an NFL team makes him a contender as the Cardinals seek a coach who can rebuild and stabilize the franchise.
Although not confirmed as officially connected to the job, long-time NFL head coach John Harbaugh was mentioned in the context of the broader coaching carousel after being fired by the Baltimore Ravens on January 6, 2026. While there have not been official reports linking Harbaugh to Arizona, his availability has sparked speculation among fans and analysts that bringing him to the Cardinals would generate excitement.
As the Cardinals continue their coaching search, Ossenfort and the organization are evaluating a wide range of candidates with varying backgrounds in offensive and defensive leadership. The choice will be critical as they aim to turn around a struggling franchise and set the team on a new path with their high draft position and future roster decisions.
Source: Fox10 Phoenix
