Cardinals should cast a smaller net to pull in a prize fish


 Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

By Walter Mitchell

Since Michael Bidwill took over as team president in 2013, every time he has conducted a search for a new head coach he has proclaimed, "We are going cast the widest net possible." 

And guess what?

Those wide Bidwillean-strung nets have meant tons of interviews, long delays and then --- being the last or second to last team to hire its new HC.

2013 --- Bruce Arians

2018 --- Steve Wilks 

2019 --- Kliff Kingsbury

2023 --- Jonathan Gannon

2026 --- ?

Fortunately, Arians and Kingsbury were two of the rare Cardinals' coaches to land the team in the nest of the playoffs.

What Arians, Wilks, Kingsbury and Gannon all had in common? No NFL HC experience. 

Arians was the most successful of the bunch because he brought with him a cadre of veteran assistant coaches primed and ready to take Arizona by storm. Plus, BA had 5 years of experience as OC of the Steelers, helped the Steelers win a Super Bowl over the Cardinals and he was an interim HC for the Colts.

The paring of Arian as HC/OC with Todd Bowles as DC was arguably the best playcalling tandem the Cardinals have ever had. 

When Todd Bowles became the New York Jets' head coach in 2015, Arians passed on veteran DCs such as Dick LeBeau and Jim Schwartz in favor of promoting 3rd year LB coach James Bettcher. 

Conversely, many of the assistant coaches that were hired for Wilks, Kingsbury and Gannon were either veteran coordinators who had previously failed as head coaches or young coaches without significant NFL experience. One could call those coaching staffs, most of whom were hired and assembled by Steve Keim ---> makeshift. 

Maybe, just maybe ---> it's time for the Cardinals to do the opposite --- by casting a smaller net that is large enough to hold a prize fish who comes with NFL head coaching experience and a special talent for giving his players a distinct competitive edge.

The fish I have in mind ---> the Dolphin who was recently tossed back into the water at South Beach.  

Allow me to check a host of boxes for Mike McDaniel:

1. Head coaching experience - ✅ - 4 years, 2 playoff berths, 35-33, 0-2 playoffs.

2. Special talent that gives his players a competitive edge -✅ - he's considered one of the most impressive and innovative offensive masterminds in the NFL.

3. Impressive coaching background - ✅

How's this for stellar company?

2013 Washington Redskins staff:


Head Coach: Mike Shanahan

Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan, 

Quarterbacks Coach Matt LaFleur

Wide Receivers Coach Mike McDaniel

Tight Ends Coach Sean McVay 

Defensive Coordinator Jim Haslett

Defensive Backs Coach Raheem Morris

4. Familiarity with the NFC West - ✅ - who could know McVay's and Shanahan's offenses any better?

5. Success with NFL TEs and wide receivers - ✅ - do you think Mike McDaniel can get the most out of the McBride-Wilson-Harrison triple threat? 

Ask George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk who combined for 3,171 yards and 17 TDs under McD as OC in 2021. 

Ask Mike Gesicki, Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle who combined for 3,428 yards and 20 TDs for McD in 2022.

5. Bring with him a veteran staff --- ✅ ---notable assistants in 2025:

OC --- Frank Smith --- 17 years NFL
Senior Passing Game coordinator --- Bobby Slowik --- 12 years
QBC - Darrell Bevell ---25 years
DC Anthony Weaver --- 15 years --- HC candidate AZ
DBC --- Ryan Slowik --- 17 years
Veteran Defensive assistant - Sean Ryan --- 18 years
STC - Craig Aukerman --- 15 years

6. Immediate Availability - ✅ --- the Lions and Ravens have expressed interest in making them their new OC. The Titans are interviewing him for their HC job next week.

Here is a 6-pack of reasons why Mike McDaniel would be a great fit with the Arizona Cardinals.

Do you think the Cardinals will even crack open a single can?

But wait, what about the wide net?

I think it would be foolish to wait potentially multiple weeks for Klint Kubiak. He's going to have his pick of a few jobs. He just interviewed with the Ravens. 

Klint Kubiak doesn't check all the boxes that Mike McDaniel does.

Love what Dan Bickley and Tyler Drake have to say about the possibility of Mike McDaniel as the Cardinals' new HC:


Bick and Tyler get it.

Bidwill and Ossenfort?












Comments

  1. Since 61January 10, 2026 at 12:52 PM


    In reply to Fish3r@87
    Huge IQ. went to Yale on a full academic scholarship and a walk on WR. He had 2 stints working for both Shanahans Mike described him as a brilliant intellectual with an innovative play calling talent McVay has stated that McDaniel is "so much smarter than me" and has a "very creative, innovative thought process" regarding both the run and pass games. . Confirmed as he is widely considered an incredibly smart, brilliant, and innovative football mind by players, analysts, and fellow coaches.
    He'll get a HC gig this cycle unless he sits out a season. Hes my favorite for the Cards job

    ReplyDelete
  2. ERauchJanuary 10, 2026 at 3:15 PM

    I'd rather see Anarumo as HC, McDaniels as OC, and Bettcher or Bowles back as DC.

    What does an armchair GM and the lottery have in common?

    A dollar and a dream 😁

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since 61January 10, 2026 at 4:15 PM

      If he doesn’t take a HC gig , he’ll take the Detroit OC gig. He’s got the talent he covets there.

      Delete
  3. sneakyjobuJanuary 10, 2026 at 4:46 PM

    His persona is not something that Bidwill and Monti would be into imo. He has a very lackadaisical approach in general and his vibes are almost like a stoner. Excellent offensive mind but it doesn't seem that the Cardinals would be getting the leader that they have so publicly desired.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Since 61January 10, 2026 at 4:56 PM

      I think he’s the best interview in sports

      Delete
    2. TMAttyJanuary 10, 2026 at 7:37 PM

      Agree with Since61. After Kliff and Gannon I’d appreciate a coach in an interview giving us anything whatsoever to chew on. McDaniel is the best interview in the NFL and would be on the higher end of our potential hires.

      Delete
    3. Walter MitchellJanuary 11, 2026 at 1:18 PM

      As Bick and Tyler said, this kind of conflicting personalities can be a great thing.

      Delete
  4. JethroBodineJanuary 11, 2026 at 7:41 AM

    Precise and to the point Walt. You make an excellent case. I wasn't much of a fan of McDaniel before I read your article but by George, you sold me on the idea. Has anyone ever told you, you should have been a lawyer? I just want to add that McDaniel was born and raised in Colorado and has strong ties to Arizona's fellow four corner state. He's only 42, innovative, has HC experience plus he might actually accept the job. Check, check and check.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Walter MitchellJanuary 11, 2026 at 1:19 PM

      From you, the Cardinals' fan who checks all of the right boxes, your approval means everything!

      Delete
  5. Flash87January 11, 2026 at 5:48 PM

    I haven't heard his name yet for an interview. We are wasting our first week with retreads or guys most people haven't heard of. Be a little more focused . Its like Monti isn't sure what to do so he just schedules a bunch of interviews to show hes working?

    ReplyDelete

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