Vance Joseph could fit as DC with either head coaching finalist
The Arizona Cardinals have two finalists to be their next head coach, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. They are New York Giants offensive coordinator MIke Kafka and Cincinnati Bengals Lou Anarumo.
Vance Joseph, the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator for the last four seasons under Kingsbury, interviewed for the job but was eliminated from consideration. However, he was not released from his contract, suggesting the team would like to keep him on the staff.
He is under contract for one more year.
While not everyone would be excited about the possibility, Joseph might fit as the defensive coordinator for either candidate.
How?
Mike Kafka
Kafka would be a first-time head coach. If Joseph were retained as the defensive coordinator, it would be almost a repeat of when the Cardinals hired Kingsbury.
Joseph has been a head coach and can help Kafka with some of the minutiae that come with a head coaching job.
It would also allow for some continuity on defense with some of the team’s young players like Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons, Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson.
Kafka and Joseph have not yet worked together but the dynamic could be where Kafka is the offensive head coach and Joseph is the defensive head coach.
Lou Anarumo
Anarumo is a defensive coordinator but has actually worked with Joseph before.
When Joseph was defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2016, Anarumo was his defensive backs coach.
If Anarumo is hired as the Cardinals’ head coach, Joseph could potentially remain as the DC but work under the framework of Anarumo’s scheme. Joseph can coach multiple fronts.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
