9:45pm: In the newest update, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that “the Cardinals have informed several head coaching candidates that they are out of the running.” The three candidates who have been announced to be involved in the second round of interviews (Flores, Anarumo, and Kafka) are reportedly the team’s finalists for the position.
The three candidates who have not been included in the second round of interviews yet (Joseph, Glenn, and Callahan) are among those who have been informed that they are no longer being considered.
5:49pm: The Cardinals made it known that they had at least two candidates who would be advancing to a second round of interviews for their vacant head coaching position yesterday. Now Steelers defensive assistant and linebackers coach Brian Flores will join Lou Anarumo and Mike Kafka as a finalist in Arizona, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. 
This is the first name we’ve seen that lines up with an earlier report from last weekend. That report implied that, if the Cardinals were unable to bring in Sean Payton, whose rights were traded to the Broncos this past week, the team would be moving forward with Flores, Aaron Glenn, and Ejiro Evero for a second round of interviews. After yesterday’s announcement for Anarumo and Kafka, Flores’s inclusion is the first name that doesn’t come as a surprise.
Arizona is moving relatively slowly compared to the other franchises who have been working to hire a new head coach this offseason and, as a result, have missed out on a few promising candidates. Of the 10 candidates interviewed by the Cardinals, four are no longer available. Besides Payton, Dan Quinn made the decision to remain in Dallas as defensive coordinator, Evero has been hired as the defensive coordinator in Carolina, Frank Reich has been hired as the Panthers’ head coach, and DeMeco Ryans, who actually cancelled his interview, has taken the head coaching position in Houston.
That leaves Arizona with its three finalists (Flores, Anarumo, and Kafka), the rumored finalist who has not been announced as a candidate for a second interview (Glenn), Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who interviewed this week, and their own defensive coordinator for the last four seasons, Vance Joseph. Anarumo is set to meet virtually with general manager Monti Ossenfort on Friday, while Kafka’s virtual interview is expected to take place on Tuesday.
Flores is expected to interview for the Cardinals’ job on Wednesday. The day before, Flores is expected to interview for the Broncos defensive coordinator position under Payton. He is also a top candidate for the Vikings defensive coordinator job.
With three finalists named for the position so far, here is the updated breakdown of the Cardinals’ interview process:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Bengals): To conduct second interview 2/10
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 2/2; no longer being considered
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Interviewed; potential finalist; hired as Panthers DC
- Brian Flores, linebackers coach (Steelers): Interviewed 1/23; favorite?; To conduct second interview 2/8
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/21; potential finalist; no longer being considered
- Vance Joseph, defensive coordinator (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/18; no longer being considered
- Mike Kafka, offensive coordinator (Giants): To conduct second interview 2/7
- Dan Quinn, defensive coordinator (Cowboys): Conducted second interview 1/25; to stay with Cowboys
- Sean Payton, former head coach (Saints): Interviewed 1/26
- Frank Reich, former head coach (Colts): Interviewed 1/17
- DeMeco Ryans, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interview cancelled, prefers Texans’ job
Please be Flores or Kafka
please take Flores from steelers
His ILBs were lost and confused all season.
had literally zero impact on Devin Bush despite that being his top priority as linebackers coach.
sounds like a great guy to promote to your HC
So it’s Flores’s fault that Bush has never been good?
No we are talking Head Coaches from the Patriot Way,
It has not worked anywhere but New England
Every assistant from that coaching tree has failed as a head coach
It’s really not working in NE since Brady left. The Patriot way only worked when they had a first ballot HOF QB to bail them out. It’s clear that Brady made Belly.
Tom’s record in TB clearly shows that. 2 division titles and a SB win.
hard to argue however we haven’t seen New England with a good qb since Tom left.
cam newtons knuckle balls and macs blooping curve balls don’t necessarily qualify as good qb play.
wouldn’t mind seeing them bring Jimmy G back this offseadon.
the team isn’t finishing bottom 5 despite being in a rebuild, Patriots are still a tough matchup any given Sunday
Please no more Patriots way.
It did not work in Denver, Miami, Houston, New York or Detroit
It’s not currently working in Las Vegas
They do not not have their own ideas only Bellichecks. It’s only worked in New England
The new GM has stated he is not deviating from a successful way
No more please!!!!
I think this is overblown. Bill O’Brien had winning years five of six seasons and made the playoffs in four. Flores brought the Dolphins their first back to back winning seasons in almost two decades and did it on the back of a scorched earth tank. Daboll served two stretches as a Belichick assistant, and he’s looking good as a head coach.
Daniel via Buffalo thru Alabama
OK. And Flores has been in Pittsburgh and Miami.
He came from New England and was a disaster in Miami
He totally alienated the franchise
So the meddling, tampering owner and GM who can’t draft an offensive lineman to save his life aren’t the problem, but the coach who led them to back to back winning seasons is. Meanwhile, they threw everything they had into giving McDaniel a win now roster and he brought home the same record.
Don’t do it guys…You already know how it will play out!…unless any of them are looking for a typical cardinals HC style arrangement where you know you’ll go ~ 8-26 after two seasons, get fired, and continue getting paid while never having to coach a cardinal game again.
Flores seems like the absolute perfect fit for this cardinals team. Lol. Please hire him. Or really anyone besides Anarumo. But especially Flores. Dumpsters are always better on fire.
O’Brien ruined that franchise trying to be the GM.
Flores couldn’t get along with anybody and ruined the QB position there
Da bill came from Alabama, even though he did work for the Patriots
The Patriot Way has been a disaster everywhere but New England
When he doesn’t get the job he will cry and try to sue them.
Do all Steelers coaches have to wear crucifixes outside their shirts on the sidelines?
Time to put up or shut up Brian best of luck
Flores probably has too much ego for his own good and may have a secret desire to be a crusader like Kaepernick but if he can stick to the Xs and Os of football he can be a solid coach for somebody.
Flores would be the perfect fit. I’d like to see the cardinals have 4-13 seasons for years to come
Take him. He is this ‘amazing’ defensive mind who got middling performances out of the highest paid defense in the league. He’s shown his worth definitely with his below .500 winning % and his 0 playoff wins!
Flores would be the most entertaining choice – thus I say they should go for it.
Does he sue them if he doesn’t get the job?