The connection between Cardinals coaches Bruce Arians and Nick Rapone goes back a long way

In a post yesterday, I noted that I could not find a connection between Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and the team's new defensive backs coach, Nick Rapone. Luke Hughes-Bunger, a frequent reader of the site, pointed out that both Arians and Rapone went to school with one another back in the day (I assume that they wrote with a hammer and chisel and took horses to class) and they worked at Temple together.

Later on, I received an email in my inbox from a great reader pointing me to this article written by Kayleen Cubal of New Castle News. It is full of information regarding the connection between Arians and Rapone, who have known each other for almost forty years, as well as some really interesting quotes.

According to the article, Rapone has been waiting for the chance to make the leap to the NFL.

"I feel like my life has been a puzzle and this is the next piece of the puzzle," Rapone said from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Monday night, where he joined Arians. "This has been a lifelong dream of mine, to coach in the NFL with the best athletes in the world."

Rapone stated in the article that he would one day like to be a coordinator on an NFL team, but for now, his allegiance is to Arians and defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles.

I personally look forward to the wealth of experience and leadership he will bring to this football team. Guys like Patrick Peterson, Kerry Rhodes and the young Jamell Fleming should really benefit from his leadership.

We invite you to follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at @revengeofbirds and like us on Facebook. Also, follow me on Twitter at @TylerNickelASU.