Arizona Cardinals has head coach void as Bruce Arians announces retirement

GLENDALE, Ariz. (UPI) — Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians announced his retirement during an emotional press conference on Monday.

“The tears you see are really tears of joy and peace,” Arians said. “I’ll miss the players. I’ll miss coming out of the locker room, hearing the national anthem, because it still gets me.

“… There are so many reasons for the decision, but family is the one.”

Arians spent Monday morning bidding farewell to colleagues prior to the press conference.

The 65-year-old Arians just completed his fifth season with the Cardinals, who finished with an 8-8 mark. He owns a 49-30-1 mark with Arizona and also posted a 9-3 record as an interim head coach for the Indianapolis Colts in 2012 while Chuck Pagano was undergoing treatment for cancer.

Arians is a two-time NFL Coach of the Year recipient, capturing the honor in 2012 with the Colts and 2014 with the Cardinals. He also has two Super Bowl rings during his eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers as wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator.

“It’s been a great ride. … I will miss the game,” Arians said.

Arians’ health has been an issue during his time in Arizona, including on two occasions when he was rushed to the hospital during the 2016 season. He revealed after the season, in his book, “The Quarterback Whisperer,” that he had a small cancerous spot removed from his kidney late in the 2016 season.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Cardinals have put in a request to interview Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur for their coaching vacancy.

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