As the National Football League heads into championship weekend, the Arizona Cardinals continue their search for a new head coach. According to reports, the team has conducted a second interview with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Weaver, who played in the NFL and began coaching in 2012, has served as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Before joining Miami, he spent two years with the Baltimore Ravens as assistant head coach and defensive line coach. Weaver also recently had a second interview for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching vacancy.
The Cardinals previously held a second interview with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. In addition to Weaver and Campanile, five other reported candidates remain active in the playoffs: New England Patriots passing game coordinator Thomas Brown, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, and Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
NFL rules allow teams to conduct in-person interviews during Super Bowl bye week if they previously held virtual interviews with coaches whose teams are still competing. This means that if any of these candidates’ teams win on Sunday—the Broncos host the Patriots and the Seahawks host the Rams—further interviews could take place.
The Arizona Cardinals are not alone in their search; the Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, and Cleveland Browns are also seeking new head coaches. However, an update notes that “the Steelers are now hiring Mike McCarthy to be their coach,” reducing open positions to four.
The Arizona Cardinals trace their history back to 1898 in Chicago and are recognized as the oldest continuously operating professional football team in the United States. The franchise represents the Phoenix area and plays its home games in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals compete in the NFC West division of the NFL and have won NFL championships in 1925 and 1947 as well as an NFC championship in 2008. More information about their history can be found on their official website.
Doug Benc/AP
Anthony Weaver