Report: Cardinals Eye Bengals DC Lou Anarumo for HC After CIN Loss to KC in Playoffs

After receiving acclaim for his work over the past two seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo is starting to receive attention for head-coaching opportunities.

Per Peter Schrager of Fox Sports and NFL Network, the Arizona Cardinals have requested an interview with Anarumo for their head-coaching position following the Bengals' 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

The Cardinals have taken a patient approach to finding a head coach since hiring Monti Ossenfort as general manager Jan. 16.

Sean Payton, Aaron Glenn, Ejiro Evero, Brian Flores and Vance Joseph are among the other candidates who have interviewed and are under consideration.

Arizona also interviewed Dan Quinn and Frank Reich. Quinn returned to the Dallas Cowboys as their defensive coordinator, and the Carolina Panthers hired Reich as their head coach.

Anarumo has been Cincinnati's defensive coordinator since 2019. His unit has improved in each of the past three seasons.

After ranking 25th in points allowed in 2019, the Bengals finished 22nd in 2020, 17th in 2021 and seventh this season. They held the Buffalo Bills to 325 yards and 10 points in the AFC Divisional Round.

Arguably the best game plan of Anarumo's career was his second-half adjustment in last year's AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. The Bengals held Patrick Mahomes to 55 passing yards with two interceptions in the second half and overtime to help them overcome a 21-3 deficit.

The Bengals allowed 17.4 points per game over their last nine contests dating back to Week 12. The only teams that scored at least 20 points against them during that span were the Chiefs twice and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Arizona is looking for a new head coach after firing Kliff Kingsbury on Jan. 9. He went 28-37-1 with one playoff appearance in four seasons.