Mike LaFleur has filled out his coordinators lineup, and on defense, he has chosen stability.
The Cardinals are keeping Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator, the team announced on Friday. Rallis had been in the same role under Jonathan Gannon for the past three seasons.
The special teams coordinator will be Michael Ghobrial, while the hiring of one-time Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett was also made official, after reports came out last week he was the choice as offensive coordinator.
Injuries shredded the defense last season, with defensive lineman Walter Nolen III and L.J. Collier, linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. and cornerbacks Garrett Williams and Will Johnson all missing large chunks of time. The Cardinals finished 27th in yards allowed a game and 29th in points allowed, and GM Monti Ossenfort said after the season there needed to be more development of young players.
The defense had impressed in 2023 and 2024, when the Cardinals were still building the roster (and when injuries didn't undercut the plan as much.)
"Nick is someone I have always great respect for, especially going against him in the division over the last three years," LaFleur said in a statement. "During the interview process, I expressed that he was someone I held in high regard and would be very interested in talking to about the position. I've had the chance to meet with him and pick his brain over the last couple weeks and am even more impressed than I was before. I know the respect he has from coaches around the league and especially with the players on this team and that says a lot to me."
The last time a new Cardinals head coach kept on the defensive coordinator from the previous staff it worked out OK -- Clancy Pendergast, hired by Dennis Green, was the team's DC when Ken Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl.
Rallis was asked at the end of the season how he was different as a coordinator now compared to when he was first hired in 2023; his first reaction was a small smile and "That is deep."
"It's also hard to pinpoint," Rallis said. "I think you probably gradually change throughout. That can be philosophically with scheme or technique. I always say, we're not married to anything, where we feel we need to adapt and get better.
"I'm always trying to improve and grow, as a person, as a leader, as someone who can connect people in the building. I would sit here and say I've made this huge stride, but I feel you have to always continue to strive and get better. ... I'd like to think that I have grown, and that there is still a lot of room for growth."
Hackett, who coached the Broncos in 2022, worked this past season under Mike LaFleur's brother Matt as a defensive assistant with the Green Bay Packers. He and Mike LaFleur have not worked together in the NFL; Hackett actually succeeded LaFleur as the Jets' offensive coordinator in 2023.
This will be the fifth time Hackett has served as an offensive coordinator. He was in that position with the Bills (2013-14), Jaguars (2016-2018), Packers (2019-21) and Jets (2023-24).
"With Nathaniel, when you combine his experience with his high level of offensive production, it's hard to think of anyone better suited for this position," LaFleur said. "I've never worked with him but know he's definitely one of the top offensive minds in the league and cannot wait to see what he can do with the playmakers we have on this offense"
Ghobrial worked with LaFleur with the Jets for two seasons in 2021-22, when Ghobrial was the assistant special teams coach. He was in that role through 2023, before spending the past two seasons with the Giants as their special teams coordinator.
"I have great familiarity and regard for him from our time with the Jets and I know he's only continued to grow stronger as a coach in the subsequent years with the Giants," LaFleur said. "The enthusiasm he brings is infectious, which is critical for all coaches but especially on special teams. As a team, we will definitely benefit from his energy and experience."
LaFleur is in the process of filling out his full coaching staff, with a handful of names being reported. One that came out Friday was the Cardinals keeping offensive line coach Justin Frye, who just completed his first season in Arizona.
