Bruce Arians, who led the Indianapolis Colts to an 11-5 record as an interim head coach, was hired Thursday as the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, the team announced Thursday.
Arians, 60, filled in for Colts coach Chuck Pagano who spent most of the season undergoing treatment for leukemia.
He fills the final position among eight NFL head coaching jobs that opened up this month. The Cardinals fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt after the season when the team finished 5-11.
“I have a pretty good job sitting back in Indianapolis,” Arians told the Arizona Republic earlier in the day. “Do I want to be a head coach? Definitely. But just to be one? No.”
Arians also interviewed for the Chicago Bears opening that was given to Marc Trestman.
The Cardinals were looking for an offensive-minded coach and Arians fits the bill. He tutored Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Colts rookie Andrew Luck. He succeeded Whisenhunt as the Steelers offensive coordinator.
“I’ve gone through this so many different times at different places,” Arians said. “I think guys can improve, guys can be coached to be better. There’s a door number two somewhere. Is that a better option for our organization? We would make that decision.”
Arians had been head coach in college football, leading Temple from 1983-88.
Arians said he would call offensive plays if he was hired. As for defense, Arians said earlier he it was too early to make that call.
The Cardinals still have defensive coordinator Ray Horton under contract. Horton also was a candidate for the head-coaching position.
“Guys are under contract,” he said. “You can’t really comment on staff members at this time.”