Cardinals Hire Shurmur to Run Their Defense

Fritz Shurmur, fired by the Rams four weeks ago, landed on his feet Wednesday with the Phoenix Cardinals, who hired him as defensive coordinator.

Shurmur, 58, who spent nine seasons with the Rams--eight as defensive coordinator under Coach John Robinson--replaces Joe Pascale, who has been offered another position on Shurmur’s defensive staff but has not said whether he will accept.

Reached in Phoenix Wednesday, Shurmur said he had other possibilities to coach in the NFL--possibly as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator--but chose Phoenix because of his closeness to Coach Joe Bugel and belief in the rebuilding program Bugel began last season.

Shurmur and Bugel were the Cardinals’ final two choices for the top job during the last off-season. They broke in together as rookie NFL assistants with the Detroit Lions 16 years ago.