Arizona Cardinals Hire Miami Assistant as Cornerbacks Coach

Zac Etheridge joins new head coach Mike LaFleur's staff in Arizona.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Arizona Cardinals have reportedly hired University of Miami defensive pass game coordinator Zac Etheridge as their new cornerbacks coach. Etheridge, who was a safety and team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, is making the jump to the NFL for the first time in his coaching career.

Why it matters

The Cardinals are looking to rebuild their secondary after a disappointing 2025 season, and Etheridge's hiring represents a key addition to new head coach Mike LaFleur's staff as he looks to turn the team around.

The details

Etheridge has spent the past several seasons on the coaching staff at the University of Miami, where he served as the defensive pass game coordinator. Prior to that, he had coaching stints at Auburn and Samford.

  • Etheridge's hiring was reported on February 15, 2026.

The players

Zac Etheridge

A former safety and team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team, Etheridge is making the jump to the NFL for the first time as the new cornerbacks coach for the Arizona Cardinals.

Mike LaFleur

The new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, LaFleur is looking to rebuild the team's secondary with the hiring of Etheridge as his cornerbacks coach.

Adam Schefter

The ESPN reporter who broke the news of Etheridge's hiring by the Cardinals.

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What they’re saying

“The Arizona Cardinals are expected to hire University of Miami defensive pass game coordinator Zac Etheridge — who was a safety and team captain on Auburn's 2010 national championship team — as their cornerbacks coach.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter (Twitter/X)

The takeaway

Etheridge's hiring represents a key addition to the Cardinals' coaching staff as they look to rebuild their secondary and turn the team around under new head coach Mike LaFleur.