Cardinals OC McCoy fired after big loss

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona Cardinals fired offensive coordinator Mike

McCoy a day after the team was blown out at home by the Denver Broncos on national television.

First-year head coach

Steve Wilks said Friday that quarterbacks coach

Byron Leftwich will take over the job for a club that is a league-worst 1-6.

“Seven weeks into the season, based off where we were from the standpoint of production on the offensive side of the ball, I felt the need to make a change, and that’s what I did,” Wilks said at a news conference.

McCoy, former head coach of the San Diego Chargers, was fired for the second time in as many seasons. He was let go after 10 games as Denver’s coordinator last year.

The Cardinals lost 45-10 on Thursday night, trailing 21-3 after one quarter and 35-3 at the half. Wilks called the effort “embarrassing” but said his decision to replace McCoy was not based on that one game.

Arizona entered Thursday night’s game ranked last in the NFL in offense and rushing offense and next-to-last in passing offense. The Cardinals have just 10 offensive touchdowns in seven games.

Asked if Leftwich should be considered an “interim” coordinator, Wilks said, “Right now, it’s hard to say anybody is going to be permanent.”