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Can Jonathan Gannon coach better than he commands a room?

Jonathan Gannon. Joel Angel Juarez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cardinals hope Jonathan Gannon coaches better than he commands a room

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 9/2/23

Jonathan Gannon hasn’t coached one game yet for the Arizona Cardinals, and already many are penciling the team in for a 0-17 season after a viral video showed the first-year head coach delivering potentially the most mind-numbing pep talk in the history of pep talks.

The video clip, which was used to promote the latest episode of the “Cards Flight Plan” series on the team’s YouTube channel, begins with a lifeless “welcome back” from Gannon, who proceeds to ask a series of questions that seemingly have nothing to do with one another, all while scratching his head as if he’s realized he’s in the wrong room on the first day of class.

“Who drove over here?” Gannon asked. “Quick, let me see your hands. Who took the bus? Did you have fire in your gut? Did you? We’re here for a reason. Don’t get that twisted, O.K.? We’re here for a reason to win games. So if you didn’t have that fire in your gut, you better light the fire pretty fast. Be who you are. Just understand, I’m looking for f—ing killers.”

True to form, social media raked Gannon over the coals — and rightfully so — for his lack of charisma and the underwhelming reaction his message seemed to elicit from his players.

I cannot imagine what was left on the cutting room floor if this bit not only made the show but was specifically chosen for a promo clip https://t.co/XhqxhxI2dL
— Arif Hasan, but NFL (@ArifHasanNFL) September 1, 2023

I watched this and was sure that he wanted his players to drive themselves.

Then I watched it again and was sure Gannon wants his players to take the bus.

Now I've watched it eight times in a row and I know absolutely nothing. https://t.co/dz9ZxYDdXo
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) September 1, 2023

This wouldn’t motivate me to tie my shoes let alone play a football game https://t.co/vsT0ls5iKR
— ICE (@Makyle_Ice) September 1, 2023

“ok murr now ask them if they have that fire in their gut” https://t.co/3dti2rKeff pic.twitter.com/9mrWWQTILl
— Ryan Disdier (@ryandisdier) September 1, 2023

Still thinking about an NFL head coach asking a bunch of millionaires who took the bus to work. https://t.co/IP3wahqjzn
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) September 1, 2023

The responses to the rookie head coach’s attempt at firing up a team that went 4-13 last season and projected to pick first in the draft next year were cold, clever and comical, and highlighted the true absurdity that Gannon did indeed interview with the Cardinals multiple times and was still hired.

It’s clear the Cardinals, who plan to start Joshua Dobbs at quarterback and James Conner at running back, don’t expect to be very competitive in 2023. Understandable given that quarterback Kyler Murray still recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to miss most or all of the season.

But the Cardinals still have a solid core of young players to build around including five-time Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker (27), a pair of budding receivers in Marquise Brown (26) Rondale More (23), an emerging tight end in Trey McBride (23), a former top-16 pick in linebacker Zaven Collins (24) and rookie edge-rusher B.J. Ojulari, who totaled 22.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks during his time at LSU.

And if Arizona’s 2024 draft haul includes USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. like many believe it will, the team can’t expect two potential superstars to reach their potential under a head coach whose greatest concern is which mode of transportation his players used to get to the stadium.

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