If you’re looking for a name to pin on the sideline for the desert’s NFL team right now, you’re going to find an empty office instead. As of mid-January 2026, the question of who is the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals doesn't have a simple, one-word answer because the seat is currently vacant.
The team officially fired Jonathan Gannon on January 5, 2026.
It was a move that felt both inevitable and shocking, depending on who you ask in the Valley. Gannon, the high-energy former defensive coordinator from Philly, lasted exactly three seasons. He walked away with a dismal 15-36 record. Honestly, the 2025 season was the nail in the coffin; a 3-14 finish is hard to survive in a league that cares about nothing but the scoreboard.
The Search for a New Leader in Glendale
Right now, General Manager Monti Ossenfort and owner Michael Bidwill are basically speed-dating every available coaching candidate in the country. They aren't just looking for a "football guy" this time. They need a savior.
The list of people they’ve requested to interview is getting long. Fast.
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- Matt Burke: The Houston Texans defensive coordinator is a hot name. He actually coached the Cardinals' defensive line back in 2022, so he knows where the light switches are in the building.
- Jesse Minter: The Chargers defensive coordinator is another big target.
- Vance Joseph: Talk about a blast from the past. The former Cards DC is reportedly in the mix to come back as the big boss.
The vibe around the facility is heavy. Fans are restless. You’ve got a superstar tight end in Trey McBride who just caught 126 passes—a franchise record—and a roster that feels like it has pieces, but no glue. Bidwill has been vocal about wanting a "quick turnaround," similar to what the team did in the early 2010s.
Why Jonathan Gannon Was Let Go
It wasn't just the losing. It was how they lost.
In 2024, there was hope. The team went 8-9 and stayed in the playoff hunt until December. Gannon looked like he was building a "culture." But 2025 was a total nosedive. The Cardinals lost 14 of their last 15 games. They closed the season on a nine-game losing streak. You can't keep your job when the wheels fall off that spectacularly.
There was also that weird, ugly incident in October 2025. During a loss to the Titans, Gannon was caught on camera screaming at running back Emari Demercado and even appeared to swing a fist toward the player's stomach after a fumble. The team fined him $100,000 for it. While he apologized, that kind of tension rarely stays "private" for long in an NFL locker room.
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Basically, the "Gannon Ball" era ran out of air.
What the Cardinals Are Looking For Next
The front office is being surprisingly transparent about their wishlist. They want a "strong leader." That sounds like corporate speak, but in the NFL, it usually means someone who won't lose the locker room when things get sideways in November.
There's a massive debate among the fan base right now. Do you go with a "mastermind" coordinator like Matt Burke, or do you swing for the fences with a proven winner? Big names like John Harbaugh and Mike Tomlin have been floating around the rumor mill because both are currently at career crossroads.
Winning in the NFC West is a nightmare. You’ve got to deal with the 49ers and Rams twice a year. Gannon went 3-15 against the division during his stay. That’s why the next head coach of the Arizona Cardinals has to be someone who can specifically figure out how to beat Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay.
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The Kyler Murray Factor
Whoever takes this job is tied to Kyler Murray. Or they aren't. That’s the multi-million dollar question. Murray has the talent, but his contract is a mountain of cap space. Some coaching candidates might want to build around him; others might demand a fresh start at QB.
If you're a betting person, keep an eye on the defensive candidates. The Cardinals finished 2025 near the bottom of the league in almost every defensive category. It's hard to win when you're giving up 30 points a game while your own offense is stuck in neutral.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Interview Requests: The NFL has strict rules about when and how teams can interview coaches from teams still in the playoffs. If the Cardinals wait until after the Super Bowl, it might mean they are targeting a coach from a winning program.
- Draft Position: The Cardinals are slated to pick 3rd overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. A new coach will have a massive say in whether that pick is used on a new franchise QB or a generational defensive talent.
- Official Announcements: Keep an eye on the official team site and verified insiders like Ian Rapoport or Adam Schefter. In the "coaching carousel" season, news usually breaks on social media before the press conferences are even scheduled.
The search is wide open. For now, the Arizona Cardinals are a ship without a captain, waiting for someone to prove they can steer them out of the basement of the NFC West.