New @AZCardinals coach Jonathan Gannon at his introduction:
"We're gonna be adaptable. We're gonna be explosive, We're gonna be violent and we're gonna be smart. … That's how we're gonna win games. And don't get it twisted, we're gonna win games."
— Sarah Kezele 🌵 (@SarahKezele) February 16, 2023
Kyler Murray is the franchise QB
“Everything that we do will be structured around the QB, and we have an elite one”
As to be expected, Kyler Murray was a common topic and both Gannon and Bidwill, on multiple occasions, doubled-down on Kyler Murray as the franchise quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals.
Gannon sung the praises of the young QB throughout the press conference and believes that Murray is the type of quarterback that presents real problems to a defensive coordinator (he should know, having faced him in Week 5). He said nothing that conflicts with the official position of the team that Murray is the quarterback of the future for the franchise. He also mentioned several times that accumulating talent that can boost Murray into an elite player is a high priority for the team.
Doesn’t have a defensive scheme
Taking the lead on a question that was certainly coming, Gannon declared that he does not subscribe to any one particular defensive scheme. Instead, he believes that each gameplan has to be considered a chess match between the personnel of one team against another team. No two gameplans should ever be the same.
For a better look at what Gannon has done with his defense in the past, check out Marcos Labrada’s article on the topic here on AZSPORTS Underground.
Spent three years in personnel
- “Never going to be a ceiling or a floor” on the potential of a team.
- “Excited about who we have here, and who we have to add.”
- “I know there is work to be done, but I like the core pieces here.”
Gannon was asked about his three years on the personnel side of the game and he expressed a belief that his time with the St. Louis Rams evaluating talent gives him a unique perspective on team building that he largely shares with GM Monti Ossenfort.
Largely is actually a keyword here. Gannon mentioned twice that during the interview process, when asked about team building, he and Ossenfort had similar viewpoints but differed in some areas. He followed this by stating how easy he found it to find the common ground with Ossenfort and find a way that both believe will improve the team.
The relationship between new coach and new general manager will be a key one to watch. Whether they can find the common ground and build together as a team rather than rivals will be a key indicator of the future success of the Cardinals.
No decision on calling defense
A question many fans were waiting for was only partially answered.
After being burned by a head coach who also called plays in-game, many were wondering what Gannon’s intentions are with the defense play-calling. Unfortunately, the answer was ambiguous and Gannon mentioned that the decision on whether or not a defensive coordinator will be hired is still up in the air and is ultimately dependent on whether an available candidate is a good fit with the team.
So yes, the potential is there for another play-calling head coach in 2023.
“Be where your feet are.”
Gannon offered this phrase multiple times throughout the press conference referring to his philosophy of focusing on the immediate problems at hand.
He has entered a situation with a struggling team that most certainly has its fair share of problems both on the field and in the locker room. Gannon seemed calm and collected throughout the 40-minute presser, but Bidwill and others in the NFL world have attested to the high energy he brings to the problems he faces on the job.
Offensive coordinator decision relies on fit with Murray
A lot relies on Kyler Murray. The players brought in to surround him, and also the coach brought in to run the new Cardinals offense.
Gannon mentioned that the process of selecting an offensive coordinator will likely begin in the new couple of days, but that the most important element in choosing a new OC will be the fit with Murray.
Variety of experience only made him better
Gannon has spent time with six different teams throughout his 17 year NFL career. Starting as a defensive quality control coach in Atlanta in 2007, he also spent time with the Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams (college/pro scout), Minnesota Vikings (assistant DB coach), Indianapolis Colts (DB coach), and the Philadelphia Eagles (defensive coordinator).
Asked about his time with those teams, Gannon believes that his wide range of experience has only made him a better, more well-rounded coach due to the differing coaching styles he experienced from the likes of Mike Zimmer, Frank Reich, and Nick Sirriani.
Bidwill focused on “leadership and accountability” in interview process
Taking the microphone for a bit, Bidwill spoke about the process and took a moment to dispel common media rumors that the Cardinals head coaching position was undesirable. He claimed instead that several candidates were incredibly interest, far more than the 10 individuals who received interviews for the job.
“Leadership and accountability” was the primary focus in the search according to Bidwill and serves as a reminder of why the team is hiring a new coach in the first place. As likable as Kliff Kingsbury was, something was off in the culture of the Cardinals during his tenure and the results were plainly obvious in the disastrous 2022 season.
Gannon is being brought in less to install a new defense as he is to install a new culture in Arizona. Bidwill and Ossenfort believe he is the guy that will build a healthy locker room and raise the standard for a team that has historically struggle to win.
“Define what winning behavior is, and hold players to that standard.”
“Process Driven vs Results Oriented”
That is how Gannon described his approach to building culture.
Although blessed with an incredibly talented roster this past season in Philadelphia, Gannon did experience a difficult task in convincing so many star-caliber athletes to play team ball. The individual stats of many key Eagles this season were lower than expected, but that was because they bought into a system that Gannon orchestrated that put the team over individual achievement.
A real football guy
In several moments, Gannon soliloquized about the beauty of football.
When asked why he, a talented multi-sport athlete in high school, chose football, Gannon expressed that there is nothing in life that compares to a live football game even joking that those experiences were right up there with the births of his children (all three of whom were in attendance along with his wife, Gina).
After a disappointing season where the most common press conference questions revolved around what went so terribly wrong, it was refreshing to hear it expressed that the coach is a true “football guy.” Gannon seems to live up to that name.
You can watch the full introductory press conference here:
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