GLENDALE – Ten days following the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Arizona Cardinals already have a 13-name list of candidates to be their next head coach. The list is filled with many coordinators and few former head coaches. There is a slight skewed towards defensive coordinators, including towards one of the newest names in Houston Texans Matt Burke.
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Nov 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke during the game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Why Burke could be a great fit with Cardinals:
The 49-year-old has had a 21-year long coaching career in the NFL. Burke started with the Tennessee Titans as an administrative assistant in 2004. Through the next decade, he would work his way up the defensive coaching tree until 2017, getting his first chance to be a defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins.
His first stint as DC was a failure. Miami had the 29th scoring defense and the 27th scoring defense in Burke’s two seasons. Once Dolphins head coach Adam Gase was fired, Burke went alongside with him. The Hudson, Massachusetts native was back to square one, and would have to spend the next four years rebuilding his reputation.
Dec 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive coordingaor Matt Burke talks with defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) during the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
In 2022, Burke would join his seventh team in the Cardinals as the defensive line coach. He would coach under then head coach Kliff Kingsbury for his final season in Arizona. When the franchise brought in Gannon, Burke was not retain, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as DeMeco Ryans would come in with the opportunity of a lifetime.
Ryans was a 39-year-old head coach at the time and went to get a veteran like Burke to be his defensive coordinator. The results for the past three seasons has been magical. In the first two years, Houston has had the 11th and 14th best scoring defense in the NFL, while being sixth in yards allowed in 2024. This past season has been the best year yet for the duo’s partnership, as the Texans are second in points allowed and allow the least amount of yards per game.
Burke has Houston as the most dangerous defense in the NFL and is amongst one of the best seasons in the franchise history. The Texans are about to play in the divisional round of the playoffs against the 2nd-seeded New England Patriots for an opportunity to reach their first AFC title game.
Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks about Walter Nolen during a news conference inside the Arizona Cardinals training facility on April 24, 2025, in Tempe.
The Cardinals were 29th in points allowed and surrendered 37+ points six times in the final nine games. Burke could come in and completely uplift this defense into something special, like he has in Houston. Arizona’s defense isn’t complete helpless, with injuries completely derailing its season. General manager Monti Ossenfort could bring back Burke to turn the franchise around and make its first postseason since 2021.
Former Giants return Ihmir Smith-Marsette signs future contract with Cardinals
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
