Cardinals request interview with Lou Anarumo

NFL: DEC 19 Bengals at Broncos
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One of the popular questions that’s come up in this year’s coaching cycle has been, “Why hasn’t Lou Anarumo received an interview request?”

Monday morning has brought news that the inquiry no longer applies.

The Cardinals have put in a request to interview Anarumo, Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator, for their head coaching vacancy, according to Peter Schrager of NFL Media and FOX Sports.

Anarumo, 56, has been the Bengals defensive coordinator since Zac Taylor took over as the team’s head coach in 2019.

Cincinnati finished No. 16 in yards allowed in 2022 but No. 6 in points allowed. But Anarumo’s game plans and adjustments have been notable for how they’ve frustrated and limited top quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen over the last couple of years.

Arizona hired General Manager Monti Ossenfort earlier this month but is still looking for its next head coach. Sean Payton and Brian Flores are still thought of as being in the mix. But by requesting to interview Anarumo, the club clearly feels there’s more due diligence to be done.

20 responses to “Cardinals request interview with Lou Anarumo

  1. How many people turned the Bengals DC job down before Anarumo took it? I know it was a bunch of people and they were awful for year 1. I selfishly hope all of these openings want offensive coaches so Anarumo can stay right here and keep as much of the band together as possible. Good for him though if he can get the gig. I’d imagine that’s a pretty toxic place though.

  2. My Fiance’ struck up a conversation with Lou a few nights ago at a restaurant, not knowing who he was. After talking with him for a while someone told her. She said he was a very down-to-earth and humble guy, class act.
    He deserves a shot at HC, or at least a significant raise in Cincy.
    The guy is a Defensive Genius.

  3. Why would he leave a team on the rise who should be in contention every year for the next 10-15 years?

  4. Tom Brady should have received a percentage of every coach he helped get a promotion, and now Joe Burrow is doing the same thing.

  5. It looks like the Cardinals have chosen to scapegoat coaches to protect an unproven golden-child QB. That would make me wary of accepting any job there.

  6. Would be very lucky to get him, even as HC. I’m sure he’s got better options including staying where he is.

  7. It really just doesn’t make sense to hire a defensive HC anymore in todays nfl. Hire an offensive guy with a Good system so you never miss a beat when you lose an OC. A defensive HC is always one bad OC hire away from being out of a job.

  8. Anarumo was a career defensive backs coach until the Bengals hired him.

    Has done well as the OC in Cincy.

    Would he be a good HC? Who knows. Took Taylor a couple years and Joe Burrow to prove he can lead a team.

    Would Arizona give Anarumo a couple years?

  9. How about Lou Albano while they’re at it? And Lou Costello? And Louis XIV?

    Cards gonna Card….

  10. kevpft says:
    January 30, 2023 at 12:30 pm
    It looks like the Cardinals have chosen to scapegoat coaches to protect an unproven golden-child QB. That would make me wary of accepting any job there

    ====================================

    True. Kliff Kingsbury was like 8th best coach in the big 12. Kyler Murray was only thing stopped him from going to the hall of fame.

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