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The Arizona Cardinals have yet another controversy to deal with this year. This involves a coach. The team fired offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Sean Kugler before Monday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Kliff Kingsbury told AZCentral Sports’ Bob McManaman.
The decision came after an incident Sunday night in Mexico City. Kugler did not coach in the game.
“We relieved him of his duties, and he was sent home Monday morning prior to the game,” Kingsbury said. He did not give details but did say the move is permanent.
Assistant offensive line coach Brian Natkins will get help from Steve Heiden to coach the offensive line the rest of the season. Heiden has been the tight ends coach. Offensive assistant Mike Bercovici will now coach the tight ends.
In his press conference Tuesday, Kingsbury said he didn’t have to make any coaching changes, but ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss noted that Kugler had already been removed from coaching staff on the team website.
Kugler is the second coach on Arizona’s staff to leave. Running backs coach James Saxon was placed on administrative leave and then resigned after dealing with charges in the offseason in Indiana.
Between the offseason drama they had with Kyler Murray and the play on the field this season, it has been a rough season for the Cardinals in 2022.
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