Why would the Arizona Cardinals have fired a good coach like Ken Whisenhunt following the team’s 5-11 season? Maybe because they knew they would have a suitable replacement in line.
Multiple reports say the Cardinals are close to hiring Andy Reid as their next head coach. Tim Ring of KTVK-TV first reported that the Cardinals were “very close” to hiring Reid. Eagles beat reporter Jeff McLane reports it’s already a done deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says Reid could be named as the team’s new coach by the end of the week.
Kenny Roda of WKNR adds that former Cleveland Browns GM Tom Heckert will join Reid in Arizona, though Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, who is much more in touch with the team, disputes Roda’s report.
The Cardinals already satisfied the Rooney Rule by interviewing their current defensive coordinator, Ray Horton, who is a minority. Horton could be retained as the team’s defensive coordinator, and additional reports say former Browns head coach Pat Shurmur could be brought in as the team’s new offensive coordinator.
Reid would be reunited with Kevin Kolb in Arizona. Reid drafted Kolb out of Houston in the second round of the 2007 draft. The Eagles traded Kolb to Arizona before the 2011 season for a second-round pick and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Kolb has disappointed in two injury-filled seasons with the Cardinals.
Reid, who anticipated being fired by the Eagles, reportedly has said he wanted to coach again next season. This would give him a landing spot where the expectations and pressure to win are not as high as they are in Philly. Reid went 130-93-1 in 14 years as head coach of the Eagles.
