In good times, NFL offensive and defensive coordinators become as popular as anyone in their organizations, other than the rookie quarterback who has yet to play.
And when things are bad, coordinators become notorious, blamed for everything from red-zone failures to rising unemployment.
Al Holcomb knows this, but still traded in the anonymity that came with being the Panthers’ linebackers coach to become the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator.
“I’ve been working to attain this for a long, long time,” Holcomb said, “and I feel like I’ve been ready for a long, long time. This is the next step in the progression.