As the Arizona Cardinals zero in on their next defensive coordinator, one candidate is no longer in the running. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reports that Texans secondary coach Dino Vasso is withdrawing from defensive coordinator considerations and is heading back to the Houston Texans on a new deal.
A top coordinator candidate for the #Browns and #Raiders, Vasso also interviewed with the #Titans and #AZCardinals.
Vasso, 38, is one of three candidates the Cardinals interviewed for their defensive coordinator position. He was originally named a person of interest by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer before interviewing with the team.
While he hasn’t worked under the same staff as LaFleur, they had a mutual connection in Texans head coach Demeco Ryans. Ryans was the linebacker coach with the San Francisco 49ers, while LaFleur was the passing game coordinator on offense.
He is a rising star in the coaching ranks, as he was the assistant defensive coordinator in his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles. This offseason, he earned consideration from the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Las Vegas Raiders for their defensive coordinator openings.
Instead, he’ll return to coach a secondary that produced three Pro Bowlers in 2025.
Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Update
With Vasso withdrawing from consideration, that may indicate the Cardinals have decided who their next defensive coordinator will be. The other coaches the team has requested to interview are Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant and New York Giants outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen.
Both coaches have ties to the Cardinals or their new head coach. Bullen previously coached outside linebackers under former defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and head coach Kliff Kingsbury. He has play-calling experience with the Giants, as he got the nod in the final six weeks of the 2025 season. New York’s defense saw considerable improvement under his tutelage, closing out the season by allowing 17 points or fewer in its final three games.
LaFleur should be more familiar with what Pleasant brings to the table. The two coaches joined the Rams in the same offseason. Pleasant brings a background from the secondary, previously a cornerbacks coach, before getting promoted to his current job. A defensive coordinator role is naturally the next step for the 38-year-old coach.
Either defensive coordinator candidate would be a great addition. Bullen is the more battle-tested option, albeit the difference is less than half a season’s worth of games. Whoever gets the nod will be responsible for calling the defensive plays, while LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett run the offense.
More Coaching Staff Updates
The Cardinals continue to round up their coaching staff. One position that could be filled next is quarterback. Arizona is considering two-time Pro Bowler Matt Schaub for the job. The former Texans signal-caller has no prior coaching experience at the NFL level, having become a broadcast analyst since retiring after the 2021 season.
Matt Merritt, the running backs coach for the University of Miami, will reprise that role for the Cardinals. It’s his first NFL coaching hire, but he has extensive experience coaching the position at the collegiate level. Under Merritt, the Hurricanes advanced to the College Football Playoff Championship Game in 2025.
It’s not a surprise that the Cardinals have addressed those two positions first. General manager Monti Ossenfort has some tough decisions at both spots. Kyler Murray and James Conner are both potential cap casualties in the offseason, the former likely to be traded and the latter released.
Cardinals’ DC Search Narrows After Candidate Backs Out