Here in alphabetical order is the likely coaching list the Cardinals will consider:
Cam Cameron, OC-San Diego Chargers, 45 years old, (+) excellent offensive leadership with Chargers and relatively young; (-) failure as head coach at Indiana and may not be available until February.
Pete Carroll, HC-USC, 55 years old, (+) unbelievable tenure at USC with great motivational skills; (-) would be very expensive hire and failed in previous NFL stops.
Norm Chow-minority interview, OC-Tennessee Titans, 60 years old, (+) Leinart's college position coach and has succeeded at every coaching stop; (-) never been a head coach at the college or pro level and quite old for first opportunity.
Russ Grimm, Asst. HC-Pittsburgh Steelers, 47 years old, (+) his lines with the Steelers have always played well and has always been associated with winners; (-) no head coaching experience and may be in position for Steelers head coaching position.
Jim Johnson, DC-Philadelphia Eagles, 65 years old, (+) great defensive coordinator who knows how to coach and scheme at the pro level and knows the Bidwill family; (-) very old for first time coaching opportunity and may be content with doing what he has done so well for so long.
Bobby Petrino, HC-Louisville, 45 years old, (+) great offensive coach who has made Louisville a big-time program and has flirted with making the jump to the NFL; (-) may be waiting for a marquee NFL job to open up someday and seems rather wishy-washy about commitments to programs.
Ron Rivera-minority interview, DC-Chicago Bears, 44 years old, (+) is one of the "hot" NFL assistant coaches this year, former player, and well respected among peers; (-) may holdout for other coaching opportunities, may not be available for hire until February and unknown as far as offensive philosophy.
Mike Singletary-minority interview, Asst. HC-San Francisco 49ers, 47 years old, (+) great motivator, person, NFL Hall of Fame player, who brings instant lockerroom respect; (-) limited coaching experience period and would need to assemble a very good coaching staff to help with limited experience.
Mike Smith, DC-Jacksonville Jaguars, 47 years old, (+) longtime college and NFL assistant who reminds many of Carolina's John Fox who is all football; (-) not a "sexy" choice and someone who would need a very good OC to make things work.
Jeff Tedford, HC-California, 45 years old, (+) great offensive success at the college level; (-) unknown factor is his desire to coach at the NFL level.
Mike Tice, Asst HC-Jacksonville Jaguars, 47 years old, (+) ex-Vikings coach who has had some success as a Head Coach in the league and who knows how to coach offense; (-) made some questionable decisions as HC at Minnesota and saw his team implode morally last season.
Dick Vermeil, exHC-Kansas City Chiefs, 70 years old, (+) Super Bowl winning coach, knows offense, understands players, and brings a wealth of experience; (-) does he still have the drive to coach, has already retired, and would be the oldest coach/executive in the league next to Marv Levy.
Ken Whisenhunt, OC-Pittsburgh Steelers, 44 years old, (+) probably the most ready NFL assistant for a head coaching position in the league, played the game, and has been a successful OC for awhile; (-) leading contender for Steelers position if Cowher leaves, is from Atlanta and would jump to the top of their coaching list with that job now available, and Cardinals might find it has competition for his services.
Cam Cameron, OC-San Diego Chargers, 45 years old, (+) excellent offensive leadership with Chargers and relatively young; (-) failure as head coach at Indiana and may not be available until February.
Pete Carroll, HC-USC, 55 years old, (+) unbelievable tenure at USC with great motivational skills; (-) would be very expensive hire and failed in previous NFL stops.
Norm Chow-minority interview, OC-Tennessee Titans, 60 years old, (+) Leinart's college position coach and has succeeded at every coaching stop; (-) never been a head coach at the college or pro level and quite old for first opportunity.
Russ Grimm, Asst. HC-Pittsburgh Steelers, 47 years old, (+) his lines with the Steelers have always played well and has always been associated with winners; (-) no head coaching experience and may be in position for Steelers head coaching position.
Jim Johnson, DC-Philadelphia Eagles, 65 years old, (+) great defensive coordinator who knows how to coach and scheme at the pro level and knows the Bidwill family; (-) very old for first time coaching opportunity and may be content with doing what he has done so well for so long.
Bobby Petrino, HC-Louisville, 45 years old, (+) great offensive coach who has made Louisville a big-time program and has flirted with making the jump to the NFL; (-) may be waiting for a marquee NFL job to open up someday and seems rather wishy-washy about commitments to programs.
Ron Rivera-minority interview, DC-Chicago Bears, 44 years old, (+) is one of the "hot" NFL assistant coaches this year, former player, and well respected among peers; (-) may holdout for other coaching opportunities, may not be available for hire until February and unknown as far as offensive philosophy.
Mike Singletary-minority interview, Asst. HC-San Francisco 49ers, 47 years old, (+) great motivator, person, NFL Hall of Fame player, who brings instant lockerroom respect; (-) limited coaching experience period and would need to assemble a very good coaching staff to help with limited experience.
Mike Smith, DC-Jacksonville Jaguars, 47 years old, (+) longtime college and NFL assistant who reminds many of Carolina's John Fox who is all football; (-) not a "sexy" choice and someone who would need a very good OC to make things work.
Jeff Tedford, HC-California, 45 years old, (+) great offensive success at the college level; (-) unknown factor is his desire to coach at the NFL level.
Mike Tice, Asst HC-Jacksonville Jaguars, 47 years old, (+) ex-Vikings coach who has had some success as a Head Coach in the league and who knows how to coach offense; (-) made some questionable decisions as HC at Minnesota and saw his team implode morally last season.
Dick Vermeil, exHC-Kansas City Chiefs, 70 years old, (+) Super Bowl winning coach, knows offense, understands players, and brings a wealth of experience; (-) does he still have the drive to coach, has already retired, and would be the oldest coach/executive in the league next to Marv Levy.
Ken Whisenhunt, OC-Pittsburgh Steelers, 44 years old, (+) probably the most ready NFL assistant for a head coaching position in the league, played the game, and has been a successful OC for awhile; (-) leading contender for Steelers position if Cowher leaves, is from Atlanta and would jump to the top of their coaching list with that job now available, and Cardinals might find it has competition for his services.
