Lou

Anarumo

For those keeping score at home, that would suggest Giants OC Mike Kafka is no longer in the running for the Cardinals’ head coaching vacancy. Weinfuss added in his report that the team could make a decision on its coach as early as Monday night, bringing an end to one of the longer searches of the offseason. The Cardinals have already met twice with Anarumo and are scheduled to meet with Gannon on Monday. The Cardinals struggled offensively last season even when Kyler Murray was healthy, but their defense left a lot to be desired, ranked 31st in points allowed per game (26.4) and 21st in yards allowed per game.

All three assistants have been given second interviews. It means in-house DC Vance Joseph is out, along with Lions DC Aaron Glenn and Bengals OC Brian Callahan. The Cardinals seem to be leaning toward a defensive mind, which could be very tricky seeing as the franchise’s entire future depends on someone gelling with and unlocking Kyler Murray.

Anarumo has served as the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati since 2019 and is one of the most coveted head coach candidates remaining on the market this offseason. Garafolo adds that the second interview is likely to occur late next week.

Fresh off the Bengals’ loss to Kansas City in the AFC title game, Anarumo -- one of the league’s premiere defensive schemers -- would seem to be a favorite to land the Arizona head coaching job. Anarumo would have his work cut out for him with a Cardinals defense that allowed the 12th highest EPA per play in 2022 and was one of the worst coverage units in the league from start to finish. The Bengals in 2022 ranked sixth in the league in points allowed per game (20.1) and were 16th in yards allowed per game (335.7). He would be a major loss for Zac Taylor and the Bengals. Anarumo will likely require Kyler Murray’s blessing if he’s going to land the Arizona job.

Anarumo interviewed for the Giants’ head coaching vacancy last season, but the Cardinals are the first team to request an interview with him this offseason. Anarumo joined the Bengals in 2019 as their defensive coordinator, with his defense showing steady improvement in each of his four seasons. This year, the Bengals ranked sixth in the league in points allowed per game (20.1) and were 16th in yards allowed per game (335.7). With back-to-back appearances in the AFC Championship Game and an appearance in the Super Bowl, Anarumo has proven more than capable of building championship-caliber defenses. While the Cardinals are the first team to request an interview with Anarumo, there’s a good chance they won’t be the last.

Anarumo has ties to both the Giants, where he spent time as a defensive backs coach, and new GM Joe Schoen, who overlapped with him in Miami. The Bengals had a middling defense under Anarumo this year, but were one of the league’s best at stopping the run. The Giants are the first team to show interest in Anarumo this coaching cycle.

The Bengals finally fill their defensive coordinator job after weeks of interviews, signing the Giants defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo. Despite a long history as a defensive backs coach both in college and the NFL, Anarumo has only served as a defensive coordinator on an interim basis. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and Anarumo coached together during stints with the Miami Dolphins.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Anarumo is the “frontrunner” for a job the Bengals have struggled mightily to fill. A long-time defensive backs coach both in college and the NFL, Anarumo’s only coordinating experience was on an interim basis with the Dolphins in 2015.

The Dolphins either struck out on or didn’t pursue open-market options like Jim Schwartz. The Dolphins’ secondary has been far from elite the past two seasons, but was about league average in 2014. It’s hard to see how anyone could be a downgrade on Kevin Coyle, who seemed over his head. Interim coach Dan Campbell wants to instill a fire-and-brimstone attitude. He clearly thinks Anarumo is the best man for the job. Anarumo last coordinated a defense for the “U.S. Merchant Marine Academy” from 1992-94.

It’s the same job Anarumo has had since 2012. Miami’s defensive backs were some of the worst in the league this season. Anarumo has his work cut out for him under new coach Adam Gase. Vance Joseph is coordinating the defense.