New Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has already announced his dedication to quarterback Kyler Murray and hired a new mentor for the young passer in offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, Petzing will be bringing along another former Browns’ assistant to Arizona.
Browns diversity coaching fellow Israel Woolfork has reportedly been informed by Cleveland that he has been granted leave to join the Cardinals staff. While not yet official, Woolfork is expected to be hired as Arizona’s next quarterbacks coach. Petzing coached passers in Cleveland and will likely continue to work with the group in Arizona, as well, giving Woolfork some nice support in his first position coaching job. The two will work together in continuing the development of one of the league’s promising young quarterbacks.
Here are a few other updates to Gannon’s new staff in Arizona as it continues to come together:
- Gannon has reportedly filled another position coaching job, hiring former Broncos assistant offensive line coach Ben Steele as his new tight ends coach, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The veteran coaching assistant has worked on four other teams’ staffs since first entering the NFL coaching ranks in 2014. Tight ends Stephen Anderson and Maxx Williams are facing free agency this offseason, but Steele should have Zach Ertz and Trey McBride to work with next year.
- The Cardinals will be going to the college ranks to fill out their coaching staff, as well, hiring Northwestern cornerbacks coach Ryan Smith to coach the same group in Arizona, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Smith inherits a talented young cornerbacks group led by Byron Murphy and Marco Wilson.
- Gannon will be adding two other former college coaches from the University of Florida, according to Matt Zenitz of On3. Former Gators co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Patrick Toney is expected to join the Cardinals as the new safeties coach. Although the specific position has yet to be announced, Gators tight ends coach William Peagler is expected to join Toney in Arizona. With Steele’s announcement as tight ends coach, that position is filled, so Peagler will have to find another role on Gannon’s staff.
The Cardinals cornerbacks group is lousy and Murphy is a free agent.
I read that too…must have missed something.
Diversity Coaching Fellow…hmmm
Can’t work out worse than some of the nepotism coaching fellows.
“Petzing coached passers in Cleveland…”
Not really an overwhelming success story.