The Arizona Cardinals are casting a wide net in their search for a new defensive coordinator, and one of the latest names to surface is Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso. According to reports, the Cardinals have officially requested permission to interview Vasso for the role - making him the third known candidate in the mix.
Vasso joins a growing list that already includes Giants outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen and Rams defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant. Each candidate brings a unique defensive pedigree to the table, but Vasso’s journey through the NFL coaching ranks stands out for its steady climb and strong foundation in secondary play.
At 38, Vasso has built his resume the hard way - starting at the college level as an intern at Temple back in 2011 before moving on to a graduate assistant role at Missouri. His break into the NFL came in 2013 with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he got his foot in the door and began building his reputation.
The real leap came in 2016 when the Philadelphia Eagles brought him on as a defensive quality control coach and assistant in the secondary. Over five seasons in Philly, Vasso was part of a staff that developed one of the league’s most aggressive and opportunistic secondaries - including during their Super Bowl run. That experience helped solidify his standing as a rising defensive mind.
In 2021, the Texans tapped him to coach their cornerbacks, and by 2024, he was promoted to oversee the entire defensive backs unit. Under his guidance, Houston’s secondary has shown flashes of promise, especially in a league where pass defense is more critical than ever.
For the Cardinals, bringing in a coach like Vasso could signal a desire to retool their defensive identity from the back end forward. With offenses getting faster and more dynamic, having a coordinator who understands how to build a cohesive, disciplined secondary is a major asset.
While it’s still early in the hiring process, Vasso’s name being in the mix reflects the Cardinals’ interest in innovative, detail-oriented coaches who’ve earned their stripes. And with Arizona looking to bounce back from a challenging season, finding the right voice to lead the defense will be one of the most important decisions of the offseason.