Cardinals Down to Three Finalists in Head Coaching Search: Here's What You Need to Know
After a long and winding road, the Arizona Cardinals are finally closing in on their next head coach. It’s been a meticulous process-some might say exhausting-but the finish line is in sight.
With only four head coaching vacancies left across the league (Arizona, Cleveland, Las Vegas, and Buffalo), the Cardinals are narrowing their focus. And now we know the trio of finalists: Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, and former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris.
Let’s break down what each candidate brings to the table-and what concerns might come with them.
Mike LaFleur - The Offensive Mind
What Works:
LaFleur comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, and that alone carries real weight in today’s NFL.
McVay’s influence has produced some of the league’s most creative offensive minds, and LaFleur fits that mold. He’s young, energetic, and represents the kind of offensive identity shift the Cardinals desperately need.
Arizona’s offense has lacked rhythm and innovation for a while now. LaFleur could be the guy to bring that spark back.
His brother, Matt LaFleur, has found success in Green Bay, and while bloodlines don’t guarantee results, they do suggest a strong football foundation. Mike's presence could also help attract a modern, dynamic staff on that side of the ball.
What Doesn’t:
LaFleur doesn’t currently call plays in Los Angeles-that job still belongs to McVay.
That leaves some uncertainty about how he’ll handle full control of an offense. He’s also light on experience as a head coach or even as the top offensive voice in the room.
That means he’d likely need a veteran staff to help balance things out, and building that kind of staff is never a sure thing.
There’s also a bit of déjà vu here for Cardinals fans. The last time the franchise leaned into a young offensive mind (Kliff Kingsbury), it didn’t pan out. That doesn’t mean LaFleur will follow the same path, but the risk is real.
Anthony Campanile - The Defensive Riser
What Works:
Campanile is one of the fastest-rising defensive minds in football.
In just one season, he helped turn the Jaguars’ defense from a bottom-tier group into a top-10 unit. His specialty?
Run defense-something the Cardinals could absolutely use more of, especially in the NFC West where physicality still matters.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, Campanile brings energy. A viral moment from his time with the Dolphins showed him addressing the entire team-something usually reserved for head coaches or coordinators. That kind of presence matters, and it’s clear he commands respect in the locker room.
What Doesn’t:
Experience is the biggest red flag here.
Campanile has just one season of coordinating experience at the NFL level. That’s a steep learning curve for a head coach.
And while his defensive credentials are strong, there are real questions about whether he can build a competent offensive staff-something that ultimately doomed Jonathan Gannon’s tenure in Arizona.
If Campanile can’t bring in the right offensive coordinator, the Cardinals could find themselves in a similar situation: a solid defense but an offense that can’t keep up.
Raheem Morris - The Veteran Option
What Works:
Morris brings something the other two candidates don’t-head coaching experience.
And not just a cup of coffee; he’s been through the grind. He won 16 games over the last two seasons in Atlanta, which is more than Gannon managed in three years with the Cardinals.
That counts for something.
He’s also got strong ties to McVay’s staff in Los Angeles and is widely respected as a defensive strategist. Morris knows the NFC West, understands the challenges of this division, and wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the moment.
What Doesn’t:
Morris is on his third go-around as a head coach, and his previous stints haven’t exactly been glowing.
He holds a losing record overall, and while he’s a steady presence, he may not bring the kind of excitement or fresh energy that fans are craving. If the Cardinals are looking to galvanize the fanbase with this hire, Morris might not be the splashy name to do it-unless he’s paired with a young, dynamic offensive coordinator like LaFleur.
What’s Next?
The Cardinals are clearly being deliberate with this hire, and that’s not a bad thing. After a few swings and misses in recent years, they can’t afford to get this one wrong. Each of these candidates brings something different to the table-LaFleur with offensive upside, Campanile with defensive fire, and Morris with veteran stability.
The decision will come down to what kind of identity the Cardinals want to build. Do they want to modernize the offense?
Reinforce the defense? Or bring in a steady hand to guide the ship?
One thing’s for sure: this hire will shape the franchise’s direction for years to come.
Quick Hits Around Arizona Sports
Suns’ Injury Woes Continue
Just when it looked like the Suns were finally getting healthy, the injury bug bit again. In a 110-103 loss to the Hawks, both Devin Booker and Jalen Green exited with injuries-Booker with a sprained ankle and Green with a lingering hamstring issue.
The early word is that Booker will be re-evaluated in a week, which is at least somewhat encouraging. Green’s status remains more fluid.
Without their stars, the Suns couldn’t find a rhythm against the Heat, falling 111-102 at home. Dillon Brooks did his part, dropping 26 points, but it wasn’t enough to carry the load.
Wildcats Keep Rolling
Arizona’s top-ranked men’s basketball team continues to steamroll through the season. They improved to 20-0 with a dominant 88-53 win over West Virginia.
A team that hasn’t leaned heavily on the three-point shot this season suddenly found their range, hitting 10-of-23 from deep. Brayden Burries led the way with 22 points in yet another standout performance.
Tough Times for Arizona Women
It was a rough outing for the Arizona women, who fell 90-65 to Iowa State. The team finished the game with just four players on the floor, as injuries and foul trouble wiped out the rest of the roster. After a strong start to the season, Becky Burke’s squad has now slipped to 10-9.
Sun Devils Bounce Back
Arizona State’s men’s team got a much-needed win, taking down Cincinnati 82-68 at home. Moe Odum was electric, pouring in 33 points and dishing out eight assists. It’s been a tough stretch for the Bearcats in Arizona, and ASU capitalized.
The Sun Devil women dropped a close one to Cincinnati, 66-64. Gabby Elliott led the team with 19 points, but it wasn’t quite enough. Still, at 17-4 on the season, they remain in a strong position moving forward.
The coaching carousel is spinning fast, and the Cardinals are almost ready to make their move. Whether they go with youth, energy, or experience, the decision coming in the next few days will be one of the most important in recent franchise history. Stay tuned.