Sports

Arians snags Cards job as NFL fills last coach spot

The Cardinals filled the NFL’s final head coaching vacancy by hiring Indianapolis offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.

The team confirmed the hiring in a release last night, saying Arians received a four-year contract with a club option for a fifth year.

The 60-year-old longtime assistant went 9-3 as Colts interim head coach while Chuck Pagano was undergoing treatment for leukemia last season.

Arians arrived in Arizona on Wednesday night, had dinner with top team officials, then interviewed yesterday and met with reporters to indicate his interest in the job.

He was offered the job and accepted last night.

Arians, who the team said will be introduced today, was the sixth known candidate interviewed to replace Ken Whisenhunt, who was fired after six seasons.

In his meeting with reporters yesterday, before he was hired, Arians said his stint as Pagano’s replacement “answered all questions I ever had” about whether he could succeed as an NFL coach.

“I hope it answered all the questions everybody else has had for all these years,” he said.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville hired Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley as the franchise’s fifth head coach, the latest rebuilding move. The 46-year-old Bradley joins general manager Dave Caldwell, who led the coaching search after being hired last week.

Bradley spent the last four seasons in Seattle, earning a reputation as a fiery assistant who demanded — and often got — the most from his players. His defense improved each of the last three years and finished in the top 10 in points and yards the last two. This season, the Seahawks ranked first in points allowed (15.3), fourth in yards (306.2) and tied for fourth in takeaways (31).

The Jaguars were 30th in the league in total defense in 2012.

BROWNS:
Norv Turner, fired by the Chargers as head coach after the regular season, was named Cleveland’s new offensive coordinator.

New Browns coach Rob Chudzinski expects Turner to make a big impact on that side of the ball, and the Browns, who scored just 302 points in going 5-11 last season, can use the help.

CHARGERS: Former Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was hired to serve as San Diego’s offensive coordinator. New Chargers coach Mike McCoy lauded Whisenhunt’s experience with the Cardinals and the Steelers, saying Whisenhunt has a “very creative mind” and will be a great asset for San Diego.

SEAHAWKS: Seattle moved quickly to fill its vacant defensive coordinator position by hiring Dan Quinn away from the University of Florida to replace Gus Bradley who left to become the head coach in Jacksonville.

BILLS: New head coach Doug Marrone has hired three more assistants to his staff, including former Giant Ike Hilliard taking over as receivers coach.

BRONCOS:
Adam Gase was hired as offensive coordinator to replace Mike McCoy, who bolted this week to become head coach of the Chargers.

BEARS:
Rod Marinelli will not return as defensive coordinator next season. It was not clear who will replace him.

FALCONS:Cornerback Christopher Owens practiced for the first time in nearly a month yesterday, raising hopes he could play in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers on Sunday, but star defensive end John Abraham remained hobbled by an injured left ankle.

BOUNTYGATE: Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma’s defamation lawsuit against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in connection with the bounty case was dismissed by a federal judge yesterday in New Orleans.