Cardinals Unveil Coordinators: Hackett, Rallis, and Ghobrial Appointed
The Arizona Cardinals have officially announced their new coordinators: Nathaniel Hackett, Nick Rallis, and Michael Ghobrial. This appointment marks a new chapter for the team under head coach Mike LaFleur.
Coaching Staff Changes
Nick Rallis returns to the Cardinals as a defensive coordinator after serving in the same role for three years under former head coach Jonathan Gannon. Despite the team’s struggles last season, ranking 29th in points allowed and 27th in yards allowed, injuries heavily influenced these statistics. Key players such as defensive lineman Walter Nolen III, L.J. Collier; linebacker Mack Wilson Sr.; and cornerbacks Garrett Williams and Will Johnson missed significant time due to injuries.
Nathaniel Hackett’s Experience
Nathaniel Hackett comes to the Cardinals with a wealth of experience as an offensive coordinator. He coached the Denver Broncos in 2022 and most recently worked as a defensive assistant for the Green Bay Packers under Matt LaFleur, Mike’s brother. Hackett will serve as the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals, marking his fifth stint in this role across various teams in the NFL.
- Buffalo Bills (2013-2014)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-2018)
- Green Bay Packers (2019-2021)
- New York Jets (2023-2024)
LaFleur expressed high regard for Hackett’s offensive capabilities, stating, “When you combine his experience with his high level of offensive production, it’s hard to think of anyone better suited for this position.”
Michael Ghobrial’s Role
Michael Ghobrial has a history with LaFleur, having worked together at the Jets in 2021-2022. Ghobrial was an assistant special teams coach before taking over as special teams coordinator for the New York Giants. LaFleur highlighted his enthusiasm and coaching growth, noting the positive impact he is expected to bring to the Cardinals.
Future Staff Considerations
As the Cardinals move forward, LaFleur aims to finalize his coaching staff. Notably, the team will retain offensive line coach Justin Frye, who just completed his inaugural season with the Cardinals.
This restructuring and the strategic appointments of Hackett, Rallis, and Ghobrial signify the Cardinals’ ambition to improve their performance and redefine their approach for the upcoming season.
