Cardinals Promote James Bettcher To Defensive Coordinator

Update:

Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 reports that the Cardinals will announce that they’ve promoted OLB James Bettcher as their new defensive coordinator on Monday.

• Jurecki adds that Bob Sanders will be hired as a linebackers coach.

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Ian Rapoport confirms previous reports from last week that the Cardinals are expected to name OLB coach James Bettcher as their new defensive coordinator.

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Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 is “hearing” that the Cardinals will promote OLB coach James Bettcher to defensive coordinator now that Todd Bowles has departed for the Jets head-coaching position.

Arizona HC Bruce Arians recently mentioned that the team’s next defensive coordinator “will be hired from within,” and an official announcement is expected to be made next week.

Cardinals CBs coach Kevin Ross and DBs coach Nick Rapone also came up as potential internal options for the defensive coordinator position.

Reports initially had said that long-time Steelers DC Dick LeBeau could be the favorite for the job. However, in recent days it became clear that LeBeau was not in line to be the team’s next defensive coordinator, and there has even been some doubt about him joining Arizona’s coaching in any capacity.

We’ll have more regarding the Cardinals as the news is available.