Despite Coaching Changes, Cardinals Fans Have Much To Smile About

By Adam Fuller

Let’s face it. The Cardinals have a notorious history of coaching and staffing debacles. Mainly as a result of poor choices and same-old-same-old thinking by ownership, fans of the red birds have had their share of frustration over the years.

But with the 2007 hiring of head coach Ken Whisenhunt and the coinciding dramatic improvement of the team’s performance on the field, attitude in the clubhouse general culture of the franchise, things are looking up.

Granted, like most teams after making a Super Bowl run, the Cardinals’ coaching staff was slightly dismembered after their 2008 season. The biggest changes will be the new personnel in both the offensive and defensive coordinator positions.

Bill Davis was promoted to defensive coordinator in his second year with the team. He coached linebackers last year with all three starters recording over 100 tackles in his first season with the team.

Before that he spent two successful years as defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, following coaching stints with the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Pittsburgh Steelers.

A new offensive coordinator has not been named, but it is likely that Whisenhunt will assume the play calling duties given his background as offensive coordinator with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

With so many question marks still out there for the Cardinals, it is easy to get anxious. But fear not red-bird fans. You’ve still got a winner manning the controls.

The thing to keep in mind is that Whisenhunt is still in charge, and his intelligence, winning experience, drive and passion will trickle all the way down the totem pole.