(Tempe) The Arizona Cardinals hired Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon as their new head coach on Tuesday.
Gannon will replace Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired last month after finishing the year with a 4-13 record in his fourth season with the team.
Gannon is the Cardinals’ fourth head coach in seven years and the second Eagles coordinator to accept the role, following Shane Steichen, who was hired by the Colts on Tuesday.
Gannon has served as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons, helping the team rebuild their defense — helping the club reach the Super Bowl game on Sunday.
The hiring of the head coach is the first major move made by general manager Monti Ossenfort, who was hired by the Cardinals last month after the departure of Steve Keim.
One of Gannon’s first assignments will be to bond with quarterback Kyle Murray, who tore a ligament in his right knee late last season and is expected to miss a few games at the start of next campaign.
Selected twice for the Pro Bowl, Murray is still able to be productive when he is healthy. The latter signed a contract worth 230.5 million with the Cardinals; the pact could last until 2028.
Prior to joining the Eagles, Gannon coached the Colts’ defensive backs from 2018-20. He also worked for the Vikings from 2014-17 and the Titans from 2012-13.
The Cardinals’ new man began his coaching career as an assistant defenseman with the Falcons in 2007, before serving as a scout for the Rams from 2009-10.