The Arizona Cardinals have decided to part ways with head coach Jonathan Gannon after a disappointing 3-14 season. The announcement was made Monday morning, following discussions between team owner Michael Bidwill and General Manager Monti Ossenfort that began Sunday night after the team’s final loss in Los Angeles.
“(Gannon) made us better, but this is a league about wins and losses,” Bidwill said. “The wins and losses speak for themselves, especially this year. We felt we were going in the wrong direction and we needed to change course.”
During Gannon’s three-year tenure, the Cardinals finished with an overall record of 15-36 and struggled within their division, posting a 3-15 mark against NFC West opponents. The team also faced significant injury challenges, ending the season with 25 players on Injured Reserve and more than 30 spending time on long-term injury lists.
“None of us expected to be here today,” Ossenfort said. “We didn’t. It’s not just one thing. There are a lot of things we have to get moving in the right direction, and that starts (Monday).”
Both Bidwill and Ossenfort credited Gannon for his efforts in building a positive culture within the organization. Bidwill expressed confidence in Ossenfort’s work constructing the roster, while Ossenfort highlighted recent draft classes as providing a strong foundation for future success.
Changes to NFL rules regarding coaching interviews mean assistants from non-playoff teams or those with first-round byes can be interviewed early this week, while other playoff team assistants cannot be interviewed until January 13 or 14. All initial interviews must be conducted virtually.
“With the rules in place of the NFL, this is not a quick process, nor do we want it to be,” Ossenfort said. “It’s an important decision that Michael and I are going to undertake. We are going to be thorough. We are going to look at a wide range of candidates, and with the NFL rules in terms of timing … a timeline, no. But we are going to be ready.”
Ossenfort noted there is no set preference for hiring either an offensive or defensive-minded head coach and did not discuss how quarterback Kyler Murray’s situation might affect hiring decisions.
“We just came off the last game of the year … there will be a time and place for those discussions,” Ossenfort said. “When you come off a season we had, I’d say all options are on the table.”
The Cardinals hold the third overall pick in next year’s draft as well as high picks throughout each round—a scenario neither Bidwill nor Ossenfort anticipated at season’s start.
“There were several games we had a chance to win when injuries weren’t as much of a factor, we didn’t win them,” Bidwill said. “We just felt like, when you looked at how much we regressed this year, the best option was to go in a different direction with head coach.”
Players heard from Gannon during their final team meeting as he bid farewell; many expressed support for his work despite disappointment over results.
“It’s a team game, so a lot of things went wrong,” tight end Trey McBride said. “Lose a couple close ones early and it was kind of a domino effect from there. Very frustrating season. At the same time, I have a lot of hope and excitement for next year.”
Bidwill also voiced optimism about moving forward: “I know our fans are frustrated. I am more frustrated,” Bidwill said. “Monti is more frustrated. And so was JG. We all expected more. But when I look at it, some of the changes that were made with other teams a year or two ago, those teams with new coaches are now in the playoffs. I know we can turn it around.”
The Arizona Cardinals represent Phoenix and play home games in Glendale as part of the NFC West division (official website). The franchise traces its origins back to 1898—making it one of America’s oldest continuously operating professional football teams—and has won championships including an NFC title in 2008 (official website).
