Arizona Cardinals Could Still Lose DC Ray Horton

by Jess Root on Jan 10, 2012 12:03 PM MST in NFL Offseason/Free Agency

It is widely known that the St. Louis Rams have Jeff Fisher at the top of their coaching list. They are hoping for an answer as to whether he will take their job or the job with the Miami Dolphins Tuesday or Wednesday. However, what happens if Fisher picks Miami? Do the Rams have a backup plan in place or will they start all over again?

They might already have interviewed their backup plan.

That would be Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

Because of the "Rooney Rule," the NFL requires that at least one minority coach be interviewed before a job can be offered. When Horton interviewed, the Rams met that requirement. They got that out of the way so that Fisher could be hired if he chooses them.

Over at Turf Show Times (the Rams blog), they say this:

According to DeMarco Farr of 101 ESPN radio in St. Louis, the Rams' brass came away very impressed with Horton. Farr even seemed to think that if Fisher leaves them standing at the alter, they would instantly hire Horton.

The team has yet to conduct any further head coach interviews, which is pretty telling.

It could be telling, or it might not. The reason they have not interviewed anyone else may simply be because they only interviewed him because they had to. After, it has been reported that the Rams intend on interviewing other coordinators on playoff teams.

Then again, after Horton's interview, they may have decided that if Fisher spurns them that the coach with only one season of experience as a coordinator is the guy.

It would be a huge loss for the Cardinals and honestly a surprise. The Cardinals defense did not perform well until the second half of the season and he is quite inexperienced.

Regardless, Cardinals fans are still not out of the woods. Todd Haley is not a sure thing and Horton could still leave. That would be a disappointing turn of events, as most are hoping for an All-Star coaching staff of Whiz, Russ Grimm, Haley and Horton.

These important questions are likely to be answered soon, and we will keep on top of it.

We invite you to follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and like us on Facebook

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Comments

Stay in Arizona, Horton! This team is your best chance to get a ring.

by Winter Trabex on Jan 10, 2012 12:11 PM MST reply actions

Rings don't matter only money matters. Don't worry, Horton isn't going anywhere, but if he

was offered the hc position he would be crazy not to take it.

by Gilbertsportsfan on Jan 10, 2012 11:14 PM MST up reply actions

I still think it is ridiculous that a coordinator with 1 year of experience

for an 8-8 team is now a top head coaching commodity. It must be because he’s with the Cardinals. Everyone wants to steal away our coordinators prematurely if they demonstrate even a hint of success.

I can’t believe we finally find a decent DC after countless years of garbage DCs and he might be hired away after one season. We should have denied the Rams permission to interview him. $%#@ the Rams if they steal Horton from us.

by Zapf on Jan 10, 2012 12:18 PM MST reply actions

Unfortunately ...

Teams cannot prevent their coaches from interviewing or being hired for head coaching positions. The Cardinals had no say in the matter.

by Vaegrin on Jan 10, 2012 12:22 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Okay I retract that statement then

But not anything else.

by Zapf on Jan 10, 2012 12:28 PM MST up reply actions

That only applies for HC opportunities IIRC

Last year we wanted to interview Butler from Pittsburgh, a promotion from LB coach to DC, and the Steelers denied us

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by GreaZzy on Jan 10, 2012 12:29 PM MST up reply actions

You do indeed recall correctly.

Assistants have to be allowed to interview for HC positions, but not assistants—which coordinators still are—do not.

The Cardinals could prevent him, or anyone else under contract, for being allowed to interview for a Coordinator position, even if it was a promotion, but a Head Coach position, they cannot.

I think it is also related to the Rooney Rule—if every team prevented their minority coaches from interviewing, they could force a fine upon the team.

by Luke Hughes-Bunger on Jan 10, 2012 12:35 PM MST up reply actions

The NFL hates us

Every good thing we have must be stolen from us

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 10, 2012 2:19 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

Except for Larry

They let us keep Larry to keep Cards fans interested

Follow me on Twitter at @AlexDavidson68

by GreaZzy on Jan 10, 2012 3:08 PM MST up reply actions

Seems to ignore...

…the fact that St. Louis told Horton to his face that they were still waiting to ignore coaches currently playing in the playoffs, and intend to do so when they are able.

While it doesn’t mean that Horton isn’t still in the running, much like the when the Cardinals landed Horton himself, sometimes you just need to wait to speak to the people you want.

Horton is one of a limited number of African American coordinators, which means we’ll have to endure a lot more interviews yet. Horton will always impress—everyone agrees he’s a really impressive guy face to face, but with only one years experience as a coordinator, i suspect he’ll be a second or third option for most teams for a few years yet.

by Luke Hughes-Bunger on Jan 10, 2012 12:30 PM MST reply actions

Since when did Russ Grimm become an all-star coach?

Follow me on Twitter @TylerNickelASU

by Tyler Nickel on Jan 10, 2012 12:47 PM MST reply actions

He is one of the most respected coaches in the game

Warranted or not

Like the Cardinals? Revenge of the Birds is where to go.
Like Arizona Sports in general? SB Nation Arizona is where you'll get it all.
Follow me on Twitter! @senorjessroot

by Jess Root on Jan 10, 2012 12:51 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

*All-Star player, who is now a coach

Follow me on Twitter at @AlexDavidson68

by GreaZzy on Jan 10, 2012 1:42 PM MST up reply actions 2 recs

Who cares?

He doesn’t produce. Run and pass blocking is bad and it’s been the main problem for this team for decades. The only contribution to the team he makes is practicing over-the-shoulder catches with Fitz before games. A monkey could replace him.

He should be fired. Haley, Horton, and Whiz are enough chefs in this kitchen.

Haley/Horton 2012!

by NickyPinks on Jan 10, 2012 1:35 PM MST reply actions

Perhaps we should wait

until Haley is actually hired first?

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 10, 2012 4:52 PM MST up reply actions

Hate to burst anyones bubble here, but I live in St. Louis and when the Rams were going to interview Horton everyone asked who the hell he is. None of the guys on either sports radio station herre had even heard of Horton. they all agreed the real reason he was interviewed was to satisfy the racist Rooney Rule and nothing else so that Fisher could become coach as soon as possible. The Rams would get trashed by the media ehre if they hired Horton as head coach. Now Horton was great for the Cards and I wouldn’t want to lose him anyway, but the Rams just got finished with the last D. Coordinator in Spagnolo and are not about to hire another. They will hire someone with head coaching experience in pro fooball preferably.

by mahill3 on Jan 10, 2012 2:10 PM MST reply actions 3 recs

Thank you!

Good to hear it from someone in St. Louis. I’ve been thinking the same thing all along — it would be a PR disaster for the Rams if they hired a one-year defensive coordinator of an 8-8 team to be their next head coach. Their current PR is bad enough as it is.

And of course we don’t want to lose Horton. He just got here for crying out loud. We shouldn’t have lost Todd Haley when we did either, but like JoeCB said, it seems anything the Cardinals have must be quickly taken from us if it’s any good.

by Zapf on Jan 10, 2012 3:05 PM MST up reply actions

All I have to say if we lose Horton is

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 10, 2012 2:19 PM MST reply actions

Love This

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't pretend to understand the universe - it's much bigger than I am. - E

by LAcardsfan on Jan 10, 2012 2:59 PM MST up reply actions

I think that sums up my feelings.

by superpsck on Jan 10, 2012 3:15 PM MST up reply actions

Rams ownership would have to be HIGH

Horton could have done the best interview ever in the history of the NFL, but any ownership would have to be seriously on drugs to give a HC job to any DC with 1 year experience. I dont see Horton leaving even if Fisher doesn’t take the job. Doesn’t seem like they’d be any better off when hiring Spagnolo after his two years as DC.

by JohnLV on Jan 10, 2012 2:53 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

+100

by Zapf on Jan 10, 2012 3:15 PM MST up reply actions

Ravens HC was a ST coordinator, which in itself was a surprising move. Singleterry fit the bill of a guy with basically one year experience as a coordinator who was trust into the top spot.
It happens.

by superpsck on Jan 10, 2012 3:17 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah, but for a 2-14 team desperately in need of an overhaul?

You don’t bring in an untested 1-year DC to do the job. Especially after the Spagnolo debacle. Everyone is screaming for them to bring in an experienced guy who knows what he’s doing. Rams management would be crucified by both fans and media if they made Horton their HC.

by Zapf on Jan 10, 2012 3:25 PM MST up reply actions

Completely agree with you Zapf. It would not make any sense for them to hire a

first year d/c as their head coach.

by Gilbertsportsfan on Jan 10, 2012 11:06 PM MST up reply actions

But Singletary

had already been on the team for 4 years, was made interim coach, then given the top job.

Completely different situation.

by CardsFan1976 on Jan 10, 2012 4:56 PM MST up reply actions

The Rams ownership does suck. They let go of Laurent Robinson.

by Winter Trabex on Jan 10, 2012 3:33 PM MST up reply actions

A lot of people did

by tw3kr on Jan 11, 2012 12:53 AM MST up reply actions

You finish the job you started!

Ray Horton, you came here to make our defense good. You haven’t achieved that fully. Half a season of success does not equal a job well done. Now, maybe if you train up a successor next season, and make the defense play at the level they were playing for the ENTIRE season, then we’ll talk about you leaving.

Until then, you better stay. And if you do take the job, I won’t feel bad about hoping for the Rams to lose.

Joe Saunders: "They Giants played a really good game, so hats off to us"

by Skii on Jan 10, 2012 3:43 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

That's exactly what I was saying

Horton doesn’t seem like the type to leave in the middle of something that he has put his name on. I see him with us atleast another two seasons. Him interviewing, easily could be a formality for him to get his name out there for when he does go for a HC job. Even if they offer, it takes two to make a deal. I know, I know, he’d be insane to pass it up…. but I don’t think it’ll happen.

Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.

by Ghettoboxx on Jan 10, 2012 6:53 PM MST up reply actions

The hire doesn't make sense for there defense

I’m not worried

by Jesse Reynolds on Jan 10, 2012 8:11 PM MST reply actions

ugh.

i would be distraught. The Rams can’t be stupid enough to hire a first year coordinator! can they?

by forget on Jan 10, 2012 8:29 PM MST reply actions

I know that Ray Horton is a brilliant d/c and he did everything he could during the Rams

interview but c’mon Jess. Clearly, the Rams brought him in to exercise the Rooney Rule. Why would the Rams hire a 1st year first year defensive coordinator to be their head coach? That just does not make any sense at all. If Fisher turns down the Rams job (which is what I’m actually hoping for) I guarantee you the Rams will be interviewing much more experienced candidates. I’m more worried about the Rams hiring Fisher because he will completely turn that offense around and make the NFC West even more competitive then it already is.

by Gilbertsportsfan on Jan 10, 2012 11:03 PM MST reply actions

I can see the headlines now

Rams Replace Failed 2-Year DC-to-HC Experiment With 1-Year DC-to-HC Experiment

“We know that Ray Horton has only half the experience of his predecessor, who flamed out of here with a 10-38 record,” Rams ownership said, “but we figure half the experience will get us twice the return. And wow, Ray really knocked our socks off during his interview. After helping the Cardinals to an impressive 8-8 record in his one year as DC, we’re convinced Ray is ready to take our team to the next level as our head coach.”

Shortly after the announcement, 90% of the remaining Rams season ticket holders cancelled and the Rams front office was egged with several windows broken.