With Jonathan Gannon Fired, Who is Favored to be the Next Head Coach for Arizona in 2026? Who Should Replace Jonathan Gannon in 2026?
Full Story on Gannon Being Fired as Arizona’s Head Coach
The Cardinals have suffered their fifth 10-loss campaign over the past decade. In fact, Arizona has failed to score 30 or more points per game all season. Even though the team went 8-9 last year, the organization took a major step back performance-wise. Following Sunday’s season finale victory vs. Rams, the 3-14 Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon after three seasons as head coach. The boys from Glendale began 2025 with a 2-0 start, but ended up winning only one other game for the remaining 15 games. Since their recent win vs. Dallas on November 3, the Redbirds embarked on a nine-game losing streak.
The Cardinals have now failed to reach the postseason for the fourth straight season dating back to 2021. Arizona has not accomplished a winning record nor played a playoff game since its 2021 wild card loss to the Rams. Arizona will have the #3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft in April. Perhaps their biggest win of the 2025 season came on September 14, where they defeated the eventual playoff contender Carolina Panthers 27-22.
Over the past several years, the football squad drafted some first round prospects such as DT Walter Nolen (Ole Miss, 2025), WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State, 2024), OT Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State, 2023), and LB Zaven Collins (Tulsa, 2021). The Cardinals became the sixth NFL team to change head coaches this season along with Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Pete Carroll (Raiders), Brian Daboll (Giants), Brian Callahan (Titans), and Raheem Morris (Falcons).
Jonathan Gannon’s Career with the Arizona Cardinals
Gannon took over as the leading man in the Phoenix area in 2023 after the dismissal of Kliff Kingsbury. The former could not lead the Cardinals to any playoff berths throughout his time in the desert. Arizona had two different losing skids: a five-game stretch from September 21 until October 19 and a season-ended 9-game losing streak. The team is seeking its first postseason victory since its NFC Championship Game run in 2015. Most importantly, the football squad wants to play in the Super Bowl for the first time since losing to Pittsburgh in 2008. Overall, Gannon compiled a 15-36 record and 3-15 in divisional play.
Before becoming the Cardinals’ head coach, Gannon served as the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2021 until 2022. He took the Eagles to the Super Bowl in early 2023, but lost to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 38-35. Gannon also coached defensive backs for the Indianapolis Colts (2018-2020) and Minnesota Vikings (2014-2017). He guided the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game in 2017, but lost to the eventual NFL champion Eagles.
What’s Next for the Arizona Cardinals?
Many Cardinals football fans might wonder: Who is the leading candidate to replace Jonathan Gannon in 2026? The top coaches in consideration listed in this article have prior coaching experience. In addition, those candidates have been on the coaching staff for at least five years. Please refer to the information below for the list of top candidates to replace Gannon as Arizona Cardinals Head Coach!
Possible Candidates to Replace Jonathan Gannon as Arizona HC
Internal Candidates
Drew Petzing-Arizona Cardinals
- Minnesota Offense Assistant (2014-2015)
- Vikings Assistant WR Coach (2016-2017)
- Minnesota Assistant QB Coach (2018)
- Vikings WR Coach (2019)
- Browns TE Coach (2020-2021)
- Browns QB Coach (2022)
- Cardinals Offensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Led Minnesota to NFC Championship Game in Early 2018
- Helped Cleveland Snap 18-Year Playoff Drought in 2020
Top Head Coach Candidates for Arizona Cardinals to Consider
Mike McCarthy-Dallas Cowboys
- Chiefs QB Coach (1995-1998)
- Packers QB Coach (1999)
- Saints OC (2000-2004)
- 49ers OC (2005)
- Packers HC (2006-2018)
- Cowboys HC (2020-2024)
- Won Super Bowl with Green Bay in 2010
- 4 NFC Championship Game Appearances with Packers
- Guided Dallas to Two NFC East Division Titles
Robert Saleh-San Francisco 49ers
- Texans Defense Qualities Coach (2006-2008)
- Texans Assistant LB Coach (2009-2010)
- Seahawks Defense Qualities Coach (2011-2013)
- Jaguars LB Coach (2014-2016)
- 49ers Defensive Coordinator (2017-2020)
- NY Jets Head Coach (2021-2024)
- 49ers Defensive Coordinator (2025-Present)
- Won Super Bowl with Seattle in Early 2014
- Coached San Francisco in Super Bowl in Early 2020
Klint Kubiak-Seattle Seahawks
- Kansas WR Coach (2015)
- Broncos Offense Coach (2016-2018)
- Vikings QB Coach (2019-2020)
- Vikings OC (2021)
- Broncos Pass Game Coordinator (2022)
- 49ers Pass Game Coordinator (2023)
- Saints OC (2024)
- Seahawks OC (2025-Present)
- Led Seattle to #1 Seed in the NFC Conference in 2025
- Coached in Super Bowl for San Francisco in 2023
Brian Flores-Minnesota Vikings
- Patriots Defense Assistant (2008-2011)
- New England Safeties Coach (2012-2015)
- Patriots DC (2016-2018)
- Dolphins HC (2019-2021)
- Steelers LB Coach (2022)
- Vikings DC (2023-Present)
- Won 4 Super Bowl Titles with New England
- Also Guided Minnesota to Postseason in 2024
Leading Candidate to Replace Jonathan Gannon as Cardinals HC in 2026
Vance Joseph-Denver Broncos
- 49ers Assistant DB Coach (2005)
- 49ers DB Coach (2006-2010)
- Texans DB Coach (2011-2013)
- Bengals DB Coach (2014-2015)
- Dolphins Defensive Coordinator (2016)
- Broncos Head Coach (2017-2018)
- Cardinals Defensive Coordinator (2019-2022)
- Arizona Co-Interim Head Coach (2021)
- Broncos Defensive Coordinator (2023-Present)
- Took Denver to #1 Seed in the AFC Conference in 2025
Other Coaching Carousel News in the NFL:
Pete Carroll (Las Vegas Raiders)
Raheem Morris (Atlanta Falcons)
Kevin Stefanski (Cleveland Browns)
Brian Daboll (New York Giants)
Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans)
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