The Arizona Cardinals continue their search for a defensive coordinator under new head coach Mike LaFleur. Their first choice, Gus Bradley, joined Robert Saleh in Tennessee to be their defensive coordinator.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer touched upon that. The Cardinals’ job would have likely meant higher pay and play-calling responsibilities. However, it appears that Bradley’s relationship with Saleh spurred the former’s decision to head for the Titans.
With Bradley headed to the Titans, the Cardinals will have to look elsewhere. One name that Breer named as a possibility is Houston Texans secondary coach Dino Vasso.
Vasso is a rising star among the coaching ranks. He started under respected defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was already getting defensive coordinator consideration this offseason, interviewing for the Titans’ job before it went to Bradley.
Who is Dino Vasso?
The link between LaFleur and Vasso comes through Texans head coach Demeco Ryans. Ryans was on the 49ers staff at the same time as LaFleur (2017-2020), coaching San Francisco’s inside linebackers.
Vasso was a holdover when Ryans took over the job in 2023, coaching the cornerbacks at the time. The Texans’ secondary blossomed into one of the best units in the league, with Darryl Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, and Caden Bullock invited to the Pro Bowl in 2025. With that secondary, Houston had the best defense in yards (277) and second in points (17.4) allowed per game.
Vasso doesn’t have much experience in a coordinator role. Before his current role in Houston, he was the assistant defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles under Schwartz.
There should be legitimate concerns about giving a first-time head coach a first-time coordinator. That was the same dynamic under Jonathan Gannon, who brought in Drew Petzing in 2023.
It’s a formula that worked in Jacksonville, as Liam Cohen hired Anthony Campanile as his defensive coordinator. Between Coen’s offense and Campanile’s defense, the Jaguars were sixth in points scored and eighth in points allowed in 2025. Campanile was in serious consideration for the Cardinals’ head coach job before returning to Jacksonville.
However, it’s worth noting that Campanile was a linebackers coach and run game coordinator before taking the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator role. But that experience may be akin to Vasso’s year of being the assistant defensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
Cardinals Offensive Coordinator
Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported that LaFleur will call the plays on offense. However, that still doesn’t mean he should go without an established offensive coordinator.
The two most logical candidates are Rams passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone. LaFleur could bring either coach with him to Arizona.
Ragone has experience as an offensive coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons under Arthur Smith. Scheelhaase was a hot candidate in this year’s coaching cycle, interviewing with the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns.
Theoretically, both coaches have a strong chance of being an offensive coordinator in the NFC West. One will take the Cardinals’ job, the other will be promoted to the Rams’ role. The offensive coordinator role in Los Angeles is viewed as a stepping stone for a future head coach hire. LaFleur just became the fourth Rams offensive coordinator to land a head coaching opportunity.
For LaFleur to turn around the Cardinals’ hopes quickly, building a strong coaching staff should be his top priority. Arizona is headed for some big changes this offseason, and he’ll need as much help as he can get.
Cardinals’ DC Search Gets New ‘Name of Interest’ From NFL Insider