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Under Jonathan Gannon's direction as defensive coach, the Eagles led the NFL this year in pass defense (179.8 yards per game) and total defense (301.5). They topped the league in regular-season sacks with 70. This helped them reach the Super Bowl, where they were ultimately defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs, 38-35.
Just two days after the Super Bowl, the Arizona Cardinals announced that Gannon will be their new head coach. On Tuesday, it was announced that the 40-year-old had signed a five-year contract. He will be replacing Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired in January.
Of course, this new role does not come without a few challenges. In order for Gannon and the Cardinals to compete next season, here are the five biggest issues he must address as their new head coach.
1. Adapt to the new role
Gannon is a rookie head coach, and he needs to adapt to the NFL quickly. We’ve seen it’s definitely possible for that to happen, even at organizations you wouldn’t expect. He will have a lot of new challenges to face, and he will need to be able to handle them all in stride. He must also be prepared to adjust his coaching style to fit in as a leader, instead of just coaching a defensive position group.
Gannon has coaching experience with the Falcons (2007), Titans (2012-13), Vikings (2014-17) and Colts (2018-20). He spent three years scouting for the Rams (2009-11). For Atlanta and Tennessee, he was a defensive quality control coach. In Minnesota, he was their assistant defensive back and defensive quality control coach. With the Colts, he served as DB’s coach.
2. Build a cohesive team
The Cardinals have been in a state of flux in recent years, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have talent. Jonathan Gannon will have to unify the team and build a cohesive playing style and culture. This will take time and effort, and Gannon needs to ensure that he is the driving force behind this effort. His defensive scheming and recent success with the Philly defense are something the Cardinals desperately hope Gannon can replicate. J.J. Watt's retirement leaves a hole in the defense, too.
3. Manage expectations
The Cardinals have a lot of talent, but it’s not clear how far along they are. Gannon needs to make sure that expectations are managed, as it will be difficult to turn the team around overnight. He must also be aware of the need to be flexible, as the team can go through some growing pains as they develop and adjust to his style of play. The first few years of coaches around the league have surprisingly been impressive, as we’ve seen Brian Daboll in New York and Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota reach the playoffs this year. Gannon must be prepared to make tough decisions if necessary, but he must also be sure to communicate his intentions clearly to the team and fellow coaches.
4. Utilize the roster
The Cardinals have many skilled players, but Gannon needs to use their upside to their fullest extent. He needs to sit Kyler Murray down immediately and just talk to him, which is something Kliff Kingsbury must not have done during his tenure there. And Kingsbury certainly can’t do it when he’s taking a vacation in Thailand.
He must be prepared to adjust the lineup, specifically the defensive units. Isaiah Simmons has shown a ton of upside, and ideally using his first-round skills, he could lead this defense for years to come. Offensively, the wide receiver core can take this offense to the next level with Kyler Murray staying protected, and staying healthy as a team will be crucial.
5. Establish a winning culture
The Cardinals have not had much success in recent years, so Gannon needs to be able to turn the team around and establish a winning culture. He absolutely has to motivate the team and instill a belief in them that they can win. If he’s done it at Philadelphia, it’s not crazy to think Arizona’s future could be similarly bright. Using this upcoming draft in a few months will be important to build on his future in Arizona.
