Late-Start Coaching Staff Could Pay Off for Cardinals, Says Mike LaFleur
Mike LaFleur: Late Start in Building Cardinals’ Staff May Turn Out to Be a Good Thing
Mike LaFleur's recent hiring as Arizona Cardinals head coach came late in the cycle, but the optimistic coordinator views it as a potential advantage. "There's so many good coaches out there," LaFleur noted, suggesting that missing early targets opened doors to stronger fits. Despite the compressed timeline, he assembled a robust staff blending experience and continuity.[2][3]
Key Hires and Returning Talent
Offensively, LaFleur tapped Nathaniel Hackett as coordinator, a veteran from Green Bay and beyond, alongside Matt Schaub for quarterbacks and Justin Frye on the line. Defensively, Nick Rallis stays as coordinator, joined by Pete Kwiatkowski for the front. Ten holdovers, including Rallis and special teams' Michael Ghobrial, provide stability. This mix promises innovative schemes with proven execution.[1][4][5]
Why the Delay Could Pay Off
Hired February 1, 2026, LaFleur moved swiftly ahead of the Scouting Combine, securing talents like Hackett—his top choice. Retaining familiar faces minimizes disruption while injecting fresh energy could elevate a middling defense from 2025's rankings. Fans see promise in this strategic assembly.[3][6]
About the Organizations Mentioned
Arizona Cardinals
## Overview The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team and a member of the National Football League (NFL), headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. As the oldest continuously operating professional football team in the United States, the Cardinals trace their origins to 1898, when they were founded as the Morgan Athletic Club in Chicago[1][2][5]. Today, the organization is best known for its competitive participation in the NFL, its storied history, and its ongoing efforts to connect with fans through both sports and technology. ## History The Cardinals’ journey began in Chicago, where they became known as the Racine Cardinals after donning faded cardinal red jerseys from the University of Chicago[1][2]. In 1920, they became a charter member of the NFL (then called the American Professional Football Association)[2][4]. The team moved to St. Louis in 1960 and finally to Arizona in 1988, adopting the name Arizona Cardinals in 1994[1][5]. Despite their longevity, the Cardinals have had limited on-field success, winning just two NFL championships—in 1925 and 1947—both before the Super Bowl era[1][2][4]. The franchise’s history is marked by resilience, having survived numerous relocations and periods of struggle, yet maintaining a dedicated fan base. ## Key Achievements The Cardinals’ most notable achievements include their 1925 and 1947 NFL championships[1][2]. In the modern era, they have captured five division titles (1974, 1975, 2008, 2009, 2015) and made their first Super Bowl appearance in 2009 (Super Bowl XLIII), narrowly losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers[3][4]. The team’s move to the state-of-the-art University of Phoenix Stadium (now State Farm Stadium) in 2006 marked a turning point, with the venue becoming one of the NFL’s most challenging for
