Phoenix, Arizona: Bruce Arians, who guided the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts to a 9-3 record as a fill-in for cancer-stricken coach Chuck Pagano, was announced on Friday as the new coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
The four-year deal includes a club option for a fifth season and fills the last vacant coaching position in the league. No minority candidates were hired for any of the posts.
Arians, 60, served as offensive coordinator for the Colts this past season and took over for Pagano when the coach was struck with leukemia. Arians coached while Pagano took treatments until Pagano returned for the playoffs.
Arians replaced Ken Whisenhunt, who was fired three weeks ago after his second losing season in three years.
Whisenhunt was also replaced by Arians in his prior job as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a move that came in 2007 when Whisenhunt left to coach the Cardinals.
Arians spent five years with the Steelers before joining the Colts this season. While he has had 20 years as an NFL assistant, this marks his first top coaching post since guiding Temple University from 1983-1988.
“I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time,” Arians said.
