Former Cardinals
defensive coordinator Ray Horton made the rounds on Valley radio
stations on Thursday.
On with XTRA Sports 910’s Mike
Jurecki and Dan Bickley, Horton expressed excitement over his new gig as
the Browns defensive coordinator because of Cleveland’s youth and
speed. Horton confirmed that he will run the same defense he ran in
Arizona.
When talk turned to Horton’s unsuccessful
bid to become the Cardinals next head coach, things got interesting.
Horton confirmed that Norv Turner would have been his offensive
coordinator and Mike Tice would have joined the staff as the offensive
line coach, but Horton wanted everyone to know that neither he nor his
agent was the source for those two names Jurecki reported.
Unfortunately, Horton got hung up on that fact for
much of the interview, which ate up much of the time.
Jurecki also reported recently that Cards general
manager Steve Keim and Horton got in a heated discussion after Bruce
Arians became the choice as the next coach. Horton said that was
absolutely false.
“I was gone,” he said. “I haven’t
talked to the GM since a week ago Monday. That’s 11 days, so I couldn’t
have had an argument. I was on a plane to Mobile (Alabama for the Senior
Bowl).”
Horton said he and Keim discussed their
friendships, how to build a team and communication issues. He added that
they shook hands and there was “no animosity.”
Horton discounted notions that he didn’t get the job
because of his race as well as the more outlandish notions that he
didn’t get it because of his braided hairdo or
appearance.
“It just seems the trend this year in the
hiring was offensive coordinators,” he said. “There were other
well-qualified candidates that didn’t get hired
either.”
Horton reiterated that obviously he wanted
the job and felt he deserved it. He also felt he hit “a home run” in the
interviewing process.
“I am disappointed, but I’m
not mad,” he said “There is no animosity at all, there’s no malice,
there’s nothing but love for the Arizona fans and my players -- they
played their butts off for me.
“I was proud to have a
bunch of men that I was able to lead and instruct. They trusted me; I
trusted them.”
