The Arizona Cardinals officially hired James Bettcher as their next defensive coordinator, the team announced on Wednesday. Head coach Bruce Arians promoted Bettcher, who spent the last two seasons coaching the outside linebackers in Arizona. Bob Sanders, a former Packers defensive coordinator who coached the Raiders linebackers for the last two seasons, was hired to replace Bettcher.
Cardinals hire James Bettcher as defensive coordinator
Arizona announced Todd Bowles’ replacement Wednesday.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Bettcher previously spent a season as a special assistant to the head coach for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He's green by NFL standards -- those are his only three seasons of pro coaching experience -- but he does have nine years of college coaching under his belt.
The Cardinals’ defensive coordinator position became open when Todd Bowles was hired as the head coach of the New York Jets. Under Bowles, Arizona ranked sixth in total defense in 2013, but dropped to 24th in 2014 thanks in part to a rash of early-season injuries. They were strong against the run this season, though, ranking 13th.
The team also promoted Mike Chiurco, who spent that last two seasons as Arians’ assistant, to defensive assistant/defensive backs coach, and hired Wesley Goodwin, a former Clemson assistant coach, to fill Chiurco’s old job.
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