TEMPE, Arizona. — The Arizona Cardinals hired Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as their next head coach on Tuesday.
Gannon replaces Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired last month after a 4-13 in his fourth season. Gannon will become Arizona’s fourth coach in seven years and the second Eagles coordinator to go on to become a head coach Shane Steichen was hired from Indianapolis on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Gannon has been Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, helping to rebuild a defense that helped the Eagles reach last Sunday’s Super Bowl. The Eagles lost 38-35 to Kansas City at State Farm Stadium, home of the Cardinals.
The Eagles had the NFL’s No. 2 defense this season and the third-most sacks in NFL history with 78 under Gannon in 2022. Philadelphia led the NFL with 70 sacks this season — 15 more than any other team.
Gannon’s hiring is the first big move from general manager Monti Ossenfort, who was hired last month after Steve Keim and the team parted ways.
Gannon inherits a defense led by Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker, young linebackers Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins. Arizona may also be planning a roster overhaul with about 30 unrestricted free agents and the retirement of three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt.
Before being hired by the Eagles, Gannon served as the defensive backs coach for the Colts from 2018-20. He also served as an assistant defenseman/quality control coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-2017 and held the same position with the Tennessee Titans from 2012-2013.
Gannon began his coaching career in 2007 as an assistant defensive back for the Atlanta Falcons and worked as a scout for the Rams from 2009-2010. He played defensive end at Louisville in 2002 before suffering a career-ending hip injury and worked as a research assistant at his alma mater.
___
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, transcribed or redistributed without permission.
