Mike LaFleur Era Begins in Arizona: Cardinals Eye Familiar Faces to Build Coaching Staff
GLENDALE - The Arizona Cardinals officially turned the page on Tuesday, introducing Mike LaFleur as their new head coach. And while the press conference was all smiles and handshakes, LaFleur wasted no time getting down to business. Less than 24 hours into his tenure, the Cardinals are already reshaping their coaching staff - with a few familiar names in the mix.
The first big move? Nathaniel Hackett is in as offensive coordinator. And on the defensive side, LaFleur is looking to tap into a trusted connection from his Rams days - Aubrey Pleasant.
Cardinals Request Interview with Rams’ Aubrey Pleasant
Arizona has formally requested to interview Aubrey Pleasant, currently the assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, for their open defensive coordinator position. Pleasant and LaFleur shared a season under Sean McVay in L.A., and that overlap could be the foundation for what LaFleur hopes will be a strong defensive partnership in the desert.
Pleasant was recently a finalist for the Chargers’ DC job, and his name continues to gain traction around the league. At 38, he’s already built a résumé that’s heavy on experience and steeped in the modern NFL defensive philosophy - especially when it comes to defending the pass.
A Deep Coaching Resume Rooted in Grind
Pleasant’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. A former Wisconsin Badgers defensive back, he played four years in Madison, racking up 80 tackles - 50 of them solo - and a pair of sacks. While he wasn’t drafted in 2009, he pivoted quickly to coaching, starting at the high school level before landing a role with the Michigan Wolverines.
That two-year stint in Ann Arbor opened the door to the NFL. He joined the Cleveland Browns as a coaching intern, then moved on to Washington as a defensive quality control coach.
From there, Pleasant’s career began to pick up steam. He joined the Rams under McVay as a cornerbacks coach, establishing himself as a rising defensive mind in the league.
After the 2020 season, he made brief stops with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, before returning to L.A. in 2023 - this time in a more prominent role as the defensive pass game coordinator. That return coincided almost perfectly with LaFleur’s arrival to the Rams' staff, which helps explain why Pleasant is now on Arizona’s radar.
A Coaching Staff Taking Shape
With Hackett already locked in to run the offense, LaFleur is clearly looking to build a staff that blends familiarity with fresh energy. Hackett, a veteran play-caller with head coaching experience, brings a wealth of knowledge to an Arizona offense that’s still trying to find its identity. Pairing him with a defensive coordinator like Pleasant - someone who knows LaFleur’s football language and brings a detailed understanding of the modern passing game - could provide the kind of balance Arizona needs as it embarks on a new chapter.
The Cardinals are in the early stages of what could be a significant rebuild, but moves like these suggest LaFleur isn’t just here to experiment - he’s here to compete. And if he can surround himself with the right minds on both sides of the ball, Arizona might be taking steps toward stability after years of inconsistency.
The LaFleur era has officially begun - and it’s already moving fast.