Arizona Cardinals Team

NoteCARDS:

• Became an NFL head coach when he was hired by the Cardinals on February 14, 2023. Gannon came to Arizona after spending two seasons (2021-22) as the defensive coordinator with Philadelphia where he helped the Eagles advance to Super Bowl LVII.
• Gannon has 17 years of experience in the NFL with the Cardinals (2023-24), Eagles (2021-22), Colts (2018-20), Vikings (2014-17), Titans (2012-13), Rams (2009-11) and Falcons (2007).
• In Gannon's second season with Arizona in 2024, the Cardinals finished with eight wins, doubling their win total from 2023 (4). Arizona did so despite facing one of the NFL toughest schedules for the second straight season (8 games vs. playoff teams in '23; 9 games in '24).
• Arizona had a 6-3 record at home in 2024, winning five of its last six games at State Farm Stadium. Four of the Cardinals six home wins were decided by 20+ points. That is the most such home wins in a season in team history.
• Under Gannon's guidance, the Cardinals have been one of the NFL's best in protecting the football (fifth in the NFL with 12 games of zero turnovers between 2023-24). Arizona also finished the '24 season with just 92 penalties, the 2^nd fewest in the NFL (LAR - 91).
• The Cardinals defense was one of the NFL's best in the second half of the 2024 season. Over the final 11 games, Arizona allowed an average of just 19.6 points per game (only three teams allowed fewer points per game between Weeks 7-18). The Cards defense allowed the fewest total TDs (20) and passing TDs (10) in the NFL during that span.
• In his first season with Arizona in 2023, Gannon led the NFL's 3^rd-youngest team that relied heavily on rookies but was also highly competitive. Despite playing the league's 2^nd-toughest schedule with eight games vs. playoff teams, the Cardinals held a lead in 14-of-17 games played.
• In 2023, the Cardinals rookie class, which led the NFL in combined starts (64) and combined snaps on offense and defense (4,654) in 2023. The Cardinals were the only team in the NFL to have rookies combine for 2,000+ snaps on offense and 2,000+ snaps on defense in 2023.
• In each of Gannon's two seasons (2021-22) as defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, the Eagles had a top-10 defense, ranking 2^nd in total defense in 2022 (301.5 ypg) and 10^th in the NFL in 2021 (328.8 ypg). In 2022 the Eagles also featured the NFL's top-ranked pass defense (179.8 ypg) and the league's 8^th ranked scoring defense (20.2 ppg).
• Between 2021-22, the Eagles defense led the NFL with 99 sacks, ranked 3^rd in total defense (315.1 ypg), 3^rd in pass defense (200.4 ypg), 6^th in tackles for loss (168), tied for 4^th in total return TDs (7) and interception return TDs (4) and tied for 10^th in interceptions (29).
• In 2022, the Eagles easily led the NFL with a franchise single-season record 70 sacks in the regular season. Philadelphia became the first team ever to have four different players with 10.0+ sacks in a single season.

Jonathan Gannon was named Arizona's head coach on February 14, 2023 when he signed a five-year contract. The 42-year-old Gannon joined the Cardinals after spending two seasons (2021-22) as the defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles. A Cleveland, OH native, Gannon has 17 years of experience in the NFL with the Cardinals (2023-24), Eagles (2021-22), Colts (2018-20), Vikings (2014-17), Titans (2012-13), Rams (2009-11) and Falcons (2007).

NoteCARDS:

• Became an NFL head coach when he was hired by the Cardinals on February 14, 2023. Gannon came to Arizona after spending two seasons (2021-22) as the defensive coordinator with Philadelphia where he helped the Eagles advance to Super Bowl LVII.
• Gannon has 17 years of experience in the NFL with the Cardinals (2023-24), Eagles (2021-22), Colts (2018-20), Vikings (2014-17), Titans (2012-13), Rams (2009-11) and Falcons (2007).
• In Gannon's second season with Arizona in 2024, the Cardinals finished with eight wins, doubling their win total from 2023 (4). Arizona did so despite facing one of the NFL toughest schedules for the second straight season (8 games vs. playoff teams in '23; 9 games in '24).
• Arizona had a 6-3 record at home in 2024, winning five of its last six games at State Farm Stadium. Four of the Cardinals six home wins were decided by 20+ points. That is the most such home wins in a season in team history.
• Under Gannon's guidance, the Cardinals have been one of the NFL's best in protecting the football (fifth in the NFL with 12 games of zero turnovers between 2023-24). Arizona also finished the '24 season with just 92 penalties, the 2^nd fewest in the NFL (LAR - 91).
• The Cardinals defense was one of the NFL's best in the second half of the 2024 season. Over the final 11 games, Arizona allowed an average of just 19.6 points per game (only three teams allowed fewer points per game between Weeks 7-18). The Cards defense allowed the fewest total TDs (20) and passing TDs (10) in the NFL during that span.
• In his first season with Arizona in 2023, Gannon led the NFL's 3^rd-youngest team that relied heavily on rookies but was also highly competitive. Despite playing the league's 2^nd-toughest schedule with eight games vs. playoff teams, the Cardinals held a lead in 14-of-17 games played.
• In 2023, the Cardinals rookie class, which led the NFL in combined starts (64) and combined snaps on offense and defense (4,654) in 2023. The Cardinals were the only team in the NFL to have rookies combine for 2,000+ snaps on offense and 2,000+ snaps on defense in 2023.
• In each of Gannon's two seasons (2021-22) as defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, the Eagles had a top-10 defense, ranking 2^nd in total defense in 2022 (301.5 ypg) and 10^th in the NFL in 2021 (328.8 ypg). In 2022 the Eagles also featured the NFL's top-ranked pass defense (179.8 ypg) and the league's 8^th ranked scoring defense (20.2 ppg).
• Between 2021-22, the Eagles defense led the NFL with 99 sacks, ranked 3^rd in total defense (315.1 ypg), 3^rd in pass defense (200.4 ypg), 6^th in tackles for loss (168), tied for 4^th in total return TDs (7) and interception return TDs (4) and tied for 10^th in interceptions (29).
• In 2022, the Eagles easily led the NFL with a franchise single-season record 70 sacks in the regular season. Philadelphia became the first team ever to have four different players with 10.0+ sacks in a single season.

Jonathan Gannon was named Arizona's head coach on February 14, 2023 when he signed a five-year contract. The 42-year-old Gannon joined the Cardinals after spending two seasons (2021-22) as the defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles. A Cleveland, OH native, Gannon has 17 years of experience in the NFL with the Cardinals (2023-24), Eagles (2021-22), Colts (2018-20), Vikings (2014-17), Titans (2012-13), Rams (2009-11) and Falcons (2007).

ARIZONA: In Gannon's second season with Arizona in 2024, the Cardinals finished with eight wins, doubling their win total from 2023 (4). Arizona did so despite facing one of the NFL toughest schedules for the second straight season (8 games vs. playoff teams in '23; 9 games in '24).

Arizona finished the 2024 season with a 6-3 record at home, winning five of its last six games at State Farm Stadium. It marked the first time since 2015 that the Cardinals had at least six home wins in a season. Four of Arizona's six home wins were decided by 20+ points, the most such home wins in a season in team history. Arizona and Buffalo were the only teams with four such wins at home in 2024.

Under Gannon, the Cardinals totaled eight wins in 2024 despite ending the season with 18 players on injured reserve, including seven Week 1 starters. Arizona had 33 different players miss a combined 196 games due to injury.

Gannon presided over a historic season by the Cardinals offense in 2024. Arizona finished the year with 6,090 total net yards, marking just the 5^th time in franchise history the Cardinals accumulated 6,000+ total net yards in a season. Arizona had a 3,000-yard passer (Kyler Murray), 1,000-yard rusher (James Conner) and 1,000-yard receiver (Trey McBride) in a single season for just the 5^th time in franchise history.

For the 2^nd consecutive season, Gannon oversaw one of the NFL's best rushing attacks. Arizona rushed for 2,451 rushing yards and 18 TDs on 463 carries (5.29 avg.). in 2024. The Cardinals 2,451 rushing yards represent the 3^rd-highest single-season total in franchise history – and the highest since the team ran for a franchise record 2,582 yards in 1979. Arizona's 5.29 rushing yards per attempt in 2024 is easily the highest single-season rushing average in franchise history, shattering the previous record of 5.03 yards per attempt in 2019. In 2023, Arizona ranked 4^th in the NFL in rushing yards (2,365) and 2^nd in rushing average (5.02) while leading the league with four games of 200+ rushing yards.

Defensively, the Cardinals had one of the NFL's best units in the second half of the 2024 season. Over the final 11 games, the Cards ranked 4^th in the NFL allowing an average of just 19.6 points per game. Arizona's defense allowed the fewest total TDs (20) and passing TDs (10) in the NFL during that span. Between Weeks 7-18, Arizona's defense was also among the top 10 in the NFL in sacks (30), forced fumbles (13), first downs allowed (206), total defense (325.7 ypg) and pass defense (213.8 ypg).

Under Gannon in 2024, the Cardinals were one of the league's most disciplined teams. Arizona was penalized just 92 times last season, with only the Rams (91) being called for fewer penalties. The Cardinals were penalized five times or fewer in an NFL-high 12 games in 2024, including two games in which it was penalized just once.

In his first season with Arizona in 2023, Gannon led the NFL's 3^rd-youngest team that relied heavily on rookies but was also highly competitive. Despite playing the league's 2^nd-toughest schedule with eight games vs. playoff teams, the Cardinals held a lead in 14-of-17 games played.

Gannon's debut NFL season saw him help to develop the Cardinals rookie class, which led the NFL in combined starts (64) and combined snaps on offense and defense (4,654) in 2023. The 2023 rookie class combined for: 151 games played, 7 TDs, 73 receptions, 847 receiving yards, 314 rushing yards, 206 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 13 passes defensed, a fumble recovery and an INT in 2023.

PHILADELPHIA: Prior to being hired in Arizona, Gannon spent two seasons (2021-22) as the defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles. Under his direction, the Eagles boasted a top-10 defense in each season, ranking 2^nd in total defense in 2022 (301.5 ypg) and 10^th in the NFL in 2021 (328.8 ypg). In 2022 the Eagles also featured the NFL's top-ranked pass defense (179.8 ypg) and the league's 8^th ranked scoring defense (20.2 ppg).

Philadelphia advanced to Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium after beating San Francisco in the NFC Championship and won the NFC East in 2022. The Eagles qualified for the postseason in both years Gannon was the defensive coordinator.

In 2022, the Eagles easily led the NFL with a franchise single-season record 70 sacks in the regular season. No other team in the NFL had more than 55. Philadelphia's 70 sacks in 2022 were the most by any team in a single season since the 1989 Minnesota Vikings (71). Combined with their eight sacks in the postseason, the Eagles 78 total sacks in 2022 were the third-most in NFL history behind only the 1984 (82 sacks) and 1985 Chicago Bears (80 sacks). Philadelphia also tied for 4^th in the NFL in both total takeaways (27) and INTs during the regular season.

In his two seasons as defensive coordinator with Philadelphia, four different Eagles players combined for five Pro Bowl selections: Darius Slay (2), Haason Reddick (1), Javon Hargrave (1) and current Cardinal Josh Sweat (1). Reddick, Hargrave and Sweat all earned their first career Pro Bowl selections playing in Gannon's defense. Reddick and CB James Bradberry were each named second-team All-Pro in 2022.

Under Gannon's tutelage, Reddick ranked 2^nd in the NFL with a career-high 16.0 sacks in 2022. He also led the NFL with five strip-sacks and tied for the NFL lead with five forced fumbles. At age 34, Graham had double-digit sacks for the first time in his career in 2022. He became the oldest player with 11.0+ sacks since Julius Peppers (37) and Terrell Suggs (35) in 2017.

Another player who had a career year under Gannon in 2022 was LB T.J. Edwards, who finished the regular season with 159 tackles, 2.0 sacks, seven passes defensed, 10 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. His 159 tackles were a career high and also were the highest single-season total for an Eagles defender since Byron Evans (175) in 1992.

Following three seasons in New Orleans, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson established a career high and tied for the NFL lead with six INTs in his first season with the Eagles in 2022. Playing in Gannon's defense, Gardner-Johnson had more INTs in 2022 (6) than he had in his first three NFL seasons combined (5). Bradberry (3 INTs, 17 PD) and Slay (3 INTs, 14 PD) finished the 2022 season as the only cornerback tandem in the NFL each with 14+ passes defensed and 3+ interceptions. Bradberry's 17 passes defensed ranked 3^rd in the NFL.

Philadelphia (7 points allowed vs. NYG; 7 points allowed vs. SF) became the first team to allow seven points or fewer in multiple postseason games since the 2010 Baltimore Ravens (3 times). Prior to 2022, the last time Philadelphia gave up seven points or fewer in consecutive postseason games was during the 1948 and 1949 NFL Championships.

In his first season with the Eagles in 2021, Gannon directed the NFL's 10^th-ranked defense (328.8 ypg). Philadelphia had the 2^nd-most defensive TDs (5), allowed the 5^th-fewest explosive plays (117) in the league and finished 9^th in opponent rushing yards per game (107.9) and opponent three-and-out percentage (33.1%). Slay led the team with five takeaways and had an NFL-best three defensive TDs that season.

OTHER NFL EXPERIENCE: Prior to working with the Cardinals and Eagles, he was the defensive backs/cornerbacks coach with the Indianapolis Colts (2018-20) and the assistant defensive backs/quality control coach with the Minnesota Vikings (2014-17) after working as a defensive assistant with the Tennessee Titans (2012-13). He spent three seasons (2009-11) as a scout with the St. Louis Rams after beginning his NFL coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons in 2007.

During his three seasons with Indianapolis (2018-20), Gannon oversaw a secondary that helped the Colts rank 6^th in the NFL in INTs (45, tied), 9^th in scoring defense (22.5 ppg) and 10^th in total defense (339.5 ypg) and red zone defense (55.9%, tied) during that span. In Gannon's final season with Indianapolis in 2020, the Colts defense had the 5^th-most takeaways (25) in the NFL and ranked 7^th in INTs (15, tied), 8^th in total yards allowed per game (332.1) and 10^th in points allowed per game (22.6, tied). CB Kenny Moore (79 tackles, 13 PD, 4 INTs and 2.0 sacks) was the only defensive back in the NFL in 2020 with at least four INTs and 2.0 sacks that season.

In 2019, the Colts had the 7^th-most INTs (15) and 10^th-most takeaways (23, tied) in the NFL. The previous year, Gannon assisted a defense that amassed the 9^th-most INTs (15, tied) in the league and ranked 10^th in takeaways (26, tied) and points allowed per game (21.5).

As an assistant with the Vikings for four seasons (2014-17), Gannon helped Minnesota's defense rank 2^nd in the NFL in redzone defense (48.6%), 3^rd in total defense (319.9 ypg), scoring defense (18.8 ppg), passing defense (214.6 ypg) and third-down defense (35.1%). CB Xavier Rhodes (2016-17) and S Harrison Smith (2015-17) were selected to multiple Pro Bowls during Gannon's tenure in Minnesota.

Gannon got his start in the NFL with the Falcons as a defensive assistant under head coach Bobby Petrino who was his head coach while he was a student at Louisville.

LOUISVILLE: Gannon played collegiately as a safety at Louisville and appeared in nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2002 before suffering a career-ending hip injury in his first career start at Cincinnati. As a true freshman in 2001, he was named the Cardinals defensive scout team player of the year. Following the injury, he worked as a student assistant at Louisville for three seasons (2003-05) and one season as a graduate assistant (2006) under Petrino.

PERSONAL: Gannon attended Saint Ignatius (Cleveland, OH) High School where he was an All-State defensive back and a standout in basketball and track & field. As a senior in 2001, he helped lead the basketball team to the school's first state championship and starred in the long jump and 110-meter hurdles, helping Saint Ignatius to their first track & field state championship that same year. Gannon was inducted into the Saint Ignatius Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

He and his wife, Gina, have three children – Rocco, Lola and Angelo.