Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton is one of the hottest head coaching candidates in the league with the Browns, Bills and his current team all talking to him already about their openings.
Horton spoke to reporters about the process on Wednesday, saying that he already has an offensive staff picked out that he would take with him to any head coaching job and that staying with the Cardinals would be his first choice. Horton also said that he didn’t feel he was just being used as a token candidate to fulfill teams’ obligations under the Rooney Rule.
“Oh, no question, no question. I think my background and the way the players have performed for me speaks for itself. I’ve been to five Super Bowls and been on No. 1 defenses and guys out here responded to me very well. So if you’re asking me do I think I’m going to be a head coach this year, I’ll say yes,” Horton said, via Kent Somers of AZ Central Sports. “I think the rule gives you an opportunity to expose yourself to somebody. Like I said, change is good and it exposes you to different ideas, which you are able to express to people.”
Somers has a transcript of Horton’s whole media session which is worth a read for anyone curious about the interview process to become an NFL head coach. Horton’s candid about what he talked to the Cardinals about, including thoughts on the team’s offense, and he certainly comes off as a well prepared candidate. Whether that’s enough to land him a job is something we’ll have to wait a bit longer to learn.