GLENDALE – After quickly filling their offensive coordinator role, the Arizona Cardinals are taking their time trying to find their next defensive coordinator. Nathaniel Hackett was hired Wednesday following new head coach Mike LaFleur’s introductory press conference. The hiring was met with mixed reviews, but the names linked to the DC job have been praised, including Houston Texans DB coach Dino Vasso.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arizona has requested to interview him, and he could be the answer to turning around one of the worst defensive units in the NFL last year.
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson talks with Houston Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso and Senior Offensive Assistant Bill Lazor before the start of Sunday’s game. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Sunday, September 24, 2023. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Cardinals request interview with Vasso:
Vasso was a part of the Texans coaching staff that had the defense one of the best in the league. As the defensive backs coach, the 38-year-old had his unit fifth in passing yards allowed and third in opponent competition percentage. Since arriving in Houston in 2021, Vasso has helped the franchise into having one of the best defensive firepower in recent memories.
Arizona Cardinals new head coach Mike LaFleur at a news conference on Feb. 3, 2026, at Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe.
The Philadelphia native started his coaching career at Temple as an offensive intern, before joining Missouri the following year as a defensive graduate assistant. After just two collegiate years coaching, Vasso got his first NFL job with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 as a coaching assistant. He got a promotion with his hometown team in the Philadelphia Eagles as a defensive quality control coach.
In his four year stint with the Eagles, Vasso was a part of a coaching staff that helped the franchise capture its first Super Bowl in 2018. After fulfilling that dream of his, he went to Houston to try to move up in the coaching world, and after four years, is closer than ever to getting first defensive coordinator job with the Cardinals.
Cardinals request to interview Rams’ Aubrey Pleasant for DC job
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
