Reports: DeFilippo interviews for OC
After getting fired as the offensive coordinator of the Vikings in December, John DeFilippo seemed to lose all the traction he had built as a young, hotshot candidate to become an NFL head coach. The 40-year-old could be back in the league very soon, though, and it could be with the Cardinals.
DeFilippo has interviewed with the team for its vacant offensive coordinator position, according to multiple reports. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM was the first to report the news.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals apparently have hired a running backs coach, luring James Saxon away from the Steelers, according to NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala. Saxon has served in that role for Pittsburgh for the past five seasons.
Saxon played eight seasons in the NFL as a running back, spending time with Chiefs (1988-91), Dolphins (199294) and Eagles (1995) before beginning his coaching career at Rutgers (1997-98). He’s been a running backs coach in the NFL for 19 seasons, previously working for the Bills (2000), Chiefs (2001-07) and Dolphins (2008-10).
DeFilippo has been coaching for 19 years, 12 of which have been spent as an NFL assistant. He was a quality control coach for the Giants (2005-06), a quarterbacks coach for the Raiders (200708), Jets (2009) and Eagles (2016-17). He also served as the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2015. Additionally, DeFilippo also has college coaching experience at Fordham (2000), Notre Dame (2001-02), Columbia (2003-04) and San Jose State (2010-11).
He was fired by Vikings coach Mike Zimmer following a 21-7 loss to the Seahawks in Week 14.
In addition to meeting with the Cardinals over the weekend, DeFilippo reportedly has interviewed with the Jaguars about their offensive coordinator position. Gary Kubiak, who backed out of a deal to return to the Broncos in that role, was under consideration for the Jacksonville job, but reportedly will join the Vikings in an offensive advisory role.
The Cardinals have filled eight positions on new head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s staff, but in addition to still trying to land an offensive coordinator, they also need assistants to handle the defensive line and defensive backs.
Wilks named DC in Cleveland
Former Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks has landed with the Browns. New Cleveland coach Freddie Kitchens hired Wilks to be his defensive coordinator and Todd Monken as offensive coordinator on Monday. Wilks was fired after going 3-13 in his only season as Arizona’s coach. He previously spent 12 years as a secondary coach before becoming Carolina’s coordinator in 2017. Kitchens also added former Cardinals assistant (2013-16) and nine-year Cardinals player (1981-1989) Stump Mitchell to coach running backs and former Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley to coach quarterbacks. Lindley played two seasons for Kitchens in Arizona. Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday afternoon between 2-5:30 on AM 1060/SB Nation Radio on Calling All Sports with Roc and Manuch and every Wednesday afternoon between 1-4 on Fox Sports 910-AM on The Freaks with Kenny and Crash.