Cardinals' HC, OC, DC, STC, and Top New Coaches: Advantages and Question Marks
Head Coach Mike LaFleur
Coaching Background
Prior to his first head coaching role, LaFleur established himself as a prominent offensive mind under Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay:
- Los Angeles Rams (2023–2025): Served as offensive coordinator, helping lead the team to multiple playoff appearances and a 2025 NFC Championship appearance.
- New York Jets (2021–2022): Offensive coordinator under Robert Saleh.
- San Francisco 49ers (2017–2020): Passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach.
- Earlier NFL Stints: Assistant roles with the Atlanta Falcons (2015–2016) and an internship with the Cleveland Browns (2014
Advantage: Keen insider knowledge of Kyle Shanahan's and Sean McVay's offenses, which can help prepare the team on both sides of the ball.
Question mark: In Arizona, will Mike's playcalling on offense take the team and his NFL career to new heights?
Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett
Recent Career Moves
- Arizona Cardinals (2026–Present): Hired as offensive coordinator under Mike LaFleur. Interestingly, Hackett had briefly agreed to join the Miami Dolphins as a quarterbacks coach in late January 2026 before pivoting to the coordinator role in Arizona less than a week later.
- Green Bay Packers (2025): Spent the 2025 season as a defensive analyst under Mike’s older brother, Matt LaFleur.
- New York Jets (2023–2024): Served as offensive coordinator. After a 2–3 start in 2024 and the firing of head coach Robert Saleh, Hackett was stripped of play-calling duties and eventually left the organization after the season.
Coaching Highlights & History
Hackett is best known for his successful tenure with the Green Bay Packers (2019–2021), where he served as offensive coordinator during Aaron Rodgers' back-to-back MVP seasons.
Advantage: Has valuable experience as a highly enthusiastic head coach, offensive coordinator and QB coach.
Question mark: How much input will he be able to provide in shaping the Cardinals' new offense?
Defensive Coordinator Nick Rallis
- Retention: In February 2026, following the firing of Jonathan Gannon, new head coach Mike LaFleur chose to keep Rallis as the defensive play-caller.
- Key Achievement: Coached safety Budda Baker to consecutive Pro Bowl selections (2023–2024).
Coaching Career History
Before joining Arizona, Rallis built a reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks:
- Philadelphia Eagles (2021–2022): Served as linebackers coach, helping the team reach Super Bowl LVII. He was the youngest position coach in the league during his tenure.
- Minnesota Vikings (2018–2020): Held roles as defensive quality control coach and assistant linebackers coach.
Advantage: Has a chance to take the Cardinals' defense in a new direction with the help of Mike LaFleur, Nathaniel Hackett, Pete Kwiatkowski, Rod Wilson and Zac Etheridge.
Question mark: This time around can he develop the talent on his side of the ball?
Special Teams Coordinator Michael Ghobrial
Ghobrial has a extensive background in special teams at both the collegiate and professional levels:
- Arizona Cardinals (2026–Present): Named special teams coordinator as part of Mike LaFleur's inaugural coaching staff.
- New York Giants (2024–2025): Served as special teams coordinator under Brian Daboll. He was not retained following a coaching reset after the 2025 season.
- New York Jets (2021–2023): Served as the assistant special teams coordinator. During his tenure, the Jets' special teams were highly ranked, including finishing No. 3 in Rick Gosselin's 2023 Special Teams Rankings.
Advantage: Has twice led his special team's units to top 10 rankings while with the Jets in 2021 (#2) and 2023 (#5), per PFF.
Question mark: Can he get the Cardinals special teams back on track after their subpar season in 2025?
New and Retained Assistant Coaches
Cornerback Coach Zac Etheridge
Coaching & Playing Background
Etheridge is well known for his career at Auburn University, both as a player and an assistant coach.
| Period | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2026–Present | Arizona Cardinals | Cornerbacks Coach |
| 2025 | Miami Hurricanes | Defensive Pass Game Coordinator / CBs |
| 2024 | Houston Cougars | Defensive Backs Coach |
| 2021–2023 | Auburn Tigers | Associate Head Coach / Secondary Coach |
| 2019–2020 | Houston Cougars | Cornerbacks Coach |
| 2018 | Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns | Defensive Backs Coach |
| 2016–2017 | Western Carolina | DBs / Outside Linebackers Coach |
| 2013–2014 | Georgia Tech | Graduate Assistant |
| 2012 | Penn State | Graduate Assistant |
- Playing Career: A four-year starter and safety at Auburn (2007–2011), he was a team captain on the 2010 National Championship team.
- Resilience: He famously returned to the field for his senior season after suffering a life-threatening neck injury (torn ligaments and broken vertebrae) during a 2009 game against Ole Miss.
- Recruiting: During his time in the college ranks, particularly at Auburn and Miami, he was regarded as one of the nation's elite recruiters
Advantage: Brings an innate understanding of The U's "ESV" style of defense, as outlined here:
The University of Miami Hurricanes' defensive style for the 2025–2026 season is defined by
Corey Hetherman's "ESV" philosophy
: Excitement, Swarm, and Violence. Moving away from traditional "read-and-react" schemes, this approach prioritizes extreme aggression, vertical penetration, and high-speed play.Core Principles of the "ESV" Defense
- Launch Technique: Rather than holding gaps, defensive linemen are taught to "launch" vertically to disrupt the offensive backfield immediately.
- Aggressive Multiplicity: The scheme primarily utilizes a 4-2-5 "attacking style", but it frequently incorporates "odd" fronts (three down linemen) and "even" spacing depending on the situation.
- Simplicity for Speed: The playbook is designed to be less complex, allowing players to communicate quickly and "play free" without overthinking their assignments.
- Intimidation & Discipline: A major point of emphasis is to "be violent" and "intimidate opponents" from the opening kickoff while maintaining the discipline to limit mental mistakes and penalties.
Question mark: Will he be given the opportunity to engrain the "ESV" principles into the Cardinals' defense?
Defensive Line Coach Pete Kwaitkowski
Current Status and Recent Career Moves
- Current Role: Defensive Line Coach for the Arizona Cardinals under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
- Departure from Texas: Kwiatkowski was fired by Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian on December 18, 2025. Despite leading a defense that ranked 3rd nationally in 2024, the unit struggled late in the 2025 season, leading to his replacement by Will Muschamp.
- Contract History: Before his dismissal, he had signed an extension through February 2027 that would have paid him $2 million in 2026.
Coaching Experience and Background
Kwiatkowski has nearly 40 years of experience in the college ranks, primarily known for his "Death Row" defenses at Boise State and Washington.
| Period | Program | Role | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026–Present | Arizona Cardinals (NFL) | Defensive Line Coach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021–2025 | Texas | Defensive Coordinator / Outside LBs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2020 | Washington | Defensive Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2013 | Boise State | Defensive Coordinator | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2009 | Boise State | Defensive Line Coach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1988–2005 | Various (Boise St, Montana St, etc.) | Defensive Assistant / Coordinator Advantage: Brings years of success as a defensive coordinator His 4-2-5 system fits the profile of the "Big Nickel" defense that Mike Macdonald has been wreaking havoc with. Core Defensive Components
Question mark: As with Zac Etheridge, how much input will Mike LaFleur and Nick Rallis give Coach K in modifying the Cardinals' defensive schemes? Inside Linebackers Coach Rod Wilson  Coaching Profile and Roles As of February 2026, Wilson has transitioned to the Arizona Cardinals to serve as their Inside Linebackers Coach. His career is defined by flexibility across defensive and special teams units:
Advantage: Bringing inside knowledge of Steve Spagnuolo's defense and the development of the Chiefs' linebackers. Question mark: Can he attract UFA LB Leo Chenal to Arizona? Quarterback Coach Matt Schaub  Current Status & Recent Career (2021–2026)
NFL Playing Career Summary (2004–2020) Schaub played 17 seasons in the NFL, primarily as a starter for the Houston Texans and a backup for the Atlanta Falcons.
Advantage: His success as both a starting and backup QB. Question mark: How much input will he have in reshaping the Cardinals' QB room? Tight Ends Coach Jake Moreland  Recent Career History Moreland's move to Arizona follows his departure from the Houston Texans, where he served as tight ends coach from 2023 to 2025.
Professional Background Before transitioning to NFL coaching, Moreland had a long tenure in the collegiate ranks and a brief playing career in the NFL.
Credits (Quotes): |
Thanks for putting the coaching staff on paper Walt. I see a lot of talk on player chemistry but I don't see too much on coaching staff chemistry. I listened to an interview with Bob Wylie and mentions how coaching chemistry as well as coach-player chemistry is as important as Xs and Os. The comment below on how a player responds, reminded me of this teams franchise QB.
ReplyDelete"Bob believes that success is 80% communication and 20% technical (scheme, personnel, game plan and X’s & O’s). The philosophy and vision must be consistently communicated throughout the program. Communication in a football program naturally has two parts: the coach communicator that communicates the message and the player recipient who has the choice to accept the message. It’s a simple process but one that fails often in a locker room. Additionally, Bob shares that a coach’s communication is about teaching a player instead of telling him and, equally important, a player response is either a fixed or judgment mindset or a growth mindset. In a judgment mindset the player blames someone or something else for his mistake or error, whereas, a player with a growth mindset responds by searching for ways to get better, improve and correct his mistake."
https://promindsetpodcast.buzzsprout.com/2169038/episodes/12610742-bob-wylie-veteran-nfl-coach-chemistry-communication-are-more-important-than-football-x-s-o-s
I think the one thing LaFleur will instantly bring to this team is coaching chemistry and coaching-player chemistry. I'm really interested in seeing how Hackett can help LaFleur hit the ground running. In Hacketts presser, he states how he is close friends with Matt and Mike Lafleur. Mike Lafleur needs good advice backed by experience and hopefully, Hackett can provide it. I'm optimistic about this pairing especially if Jacoby heads into training camp as this teams starting QB. With a pre-season to jell with starters and 12 starts as a Cardinal under his belt, Jacoby will have a more level playing ground this season.
I am very curious to see what the Mike LaFleur/Nathaniel Hackett offense looks like. And what players they bring in.
DeleteGreat question per coaching chemistry JB. I asked the same below. So, different D coaches different non crossing paths with Rallis. Who hired them? Did Rallis even get to weigh in or interview any of his assistants or is there zero coaching chemistry now tha needs to HOPEFULLY develop over camp and season? How does differing scheme and coaching philosophies going to impact the growth and play of the D.
DeleteRegarding Hackett-Walt was way too kind. The only reason Hackett is coaching in the NFL is because of his nepo status as Paul Hackett's kid and family relationship with the LaFleurs. He's a fucking idiot fired from every nonLaFleur NFL job he's ever had. His career is a recurring cycle of mid-season demotions and firings, from losing play-calling duties in Jacksonville and New York to being terminated after 15 games in his first season in Denver that Sean Payton labeled "one of the worst coaching jobs in the history of the NFL"
Your guess is as good as mine if Rallis had any input on his assistants. I don't believe coaching chemistry is developed over time. Its either there or it isn't.
DeleteI know all the bad on Hackett but here is my take on the hire. Mike LaFleurs big brother knows Hackett well and I would bet money Mike consulted with Matt before he told MO he wanted Hackett as OC which I believe he did. As an older brother myself. I would never steer my younger brothers in the wrong direction and strongly advise them from making a wrong decision. Matt didn't do that so I'm hoping that Hackett and ML work well together.
Hackett is actually closer to Mike than Matt so I think they’ll work well together—the real question is what they’ll actually achieve.
DeleteBain @3 is probably the best option/need to save that D staff from being shit, although more will be needed to that squad.
ReplyDeleteKwiatkowski’s job is a massive undertaking because the Cardinals' defensive front was the team's weakest link in 2025. At Texas, he took a defense ranked 99th and turned it into the #3 defense in the nation by 2024. His ability to build structure and "gap discipline" is exactly what Arizona’s 25th-ranked run defense needs.
ReplyDeleteEtheridge is an exciting"hire because he is walking into a room full of young, elite secondary talent that could become a top-tier unit quickly. If he can refine the raw talent of Johnson, Burke, and Garrett Williams, the Cardinals could transition from a bottom-10 pass defense to a defensive strength in a single season.
Justin Frye, while not new, is the position coach with the most to prove for the most important squad.His 2025 squad regressed to a n NFL 31st in rushing yards per game (93.1), a direct result of poor blocking. Keeping him is almost as perplexing as keeping Rallis.
My question of the day-Did Rallis hire his position coaches or even bless them?
I'm intrigued the most by the influence that the new hires will have on shaping the defense and tutoring Nick Rallis. The Ethridge and Kwiatkowski hires are intriguing because these defensive principles must have been actively pursued by Nick and these teachings were likely a part of his answer to MLF when addressing how to correct the woes of the back half of the '25 season.
ReplyDeleteI walked away very impressed listening to the press conferences for all the coordinators, but none more than after listening to Mike LaFleur speak again. He has such depth and complexity behind every response because you can see the coaching experience shine through in his answers. I was particularly moved by his response to a question about what the Cardinals offensive identity will resemble. MLF's key points was that the offensive identity is going to be defined by player strengths and abilities, but was particularly noteworthy is how he was insistent on the fact that the Cardinals will be one of the cleanest operational offenses in the league. One could already see that this will be a defining principle of an MLF offense Watching the pre-snap jitters under K1 all these years reminds us that bringing a crisp operating offense and maybe even some quick tempo variations will be a welcoming addition. We won't have to watch a QB begin his audible cadence with 8 seconds left on the play clock anymore!
Also, Conner Senger(pass game specialist) is highly regarded around the league and listening to him speak is impressive. Seattle said that he was the second most impressive external candidate they interviewed and he also got looks by the Bears for their OC consideration. The Cardinals would be wise to promote him and expand his opportunities but he was likely a strong reason why the Cardinals passing game stayed so strong last year.
Good stuff on Connor Thank you.
DeleteWhen Hackett was in Denver, the fans in the stadium began, in unison, counting down the time to snap the ball because they had so many delay of game penalties from the clock running out. The Broncos brought in a coach, Jerry Rosberg, due to a series of high-profile game-management and clock errors that had become a national embarrassment. Hope Hackett has learned a few things and MLF won't have Hackett in his ear during games.
Superb post, chock-full of keen observations, Jobu! Was so glad to see we were able to hold on to Conner Senger. We might have to promote him to OC in 2027 and make Nathaniel Hackett the assistant head coach.
Delete