NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the Arizona Cardinals requested an interview with New Orleans Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas for their open offensive coordinator position, which would be another big loss for the Saints coaching staff. Thomas would have an opportunity to call plays under first-year Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, the former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator.
Hopefully the Cardinals aren’t just seeking a meeting with Thomas to satisfy the Rooney Rule for promoting minority candidate interviews. He’s a good coach who has worked with the Saints for a long time and deserves opportunities like this. Arizona has been linked heavily to Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing for the open coordinator job, though, so this may end up not going anywhere for Thomas.
That’s not to say Thomas won’t be on the move eventually. He has ambitions. Last year he interviewed for the open head coach job at his old alma mater, the Idaho Vandals, and he should be getting more looks around the football landscape for his work in New Orleans. We’ll see if anything develops on this front.