Vibrations from the Steelers' victory Sunday in the AFC Championship Game could be felt in the Cardinals coaches offices in Tempe.
With the Steelers advancing to Super Bowl XLV, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt will have to wait at least two weeks before interviewing Pittsburgh assistants for the vacant defensive-coordinator job.
Whisenhunt cannot request permission until the Steelers' season is over.
It's a critical hire for Whisenhunt, who has fired two coordinators in four years in Arizona. He has close ties with three Steelers defensive assistants: coordinator Dick LeBeau, linebackers coach Keith Butler and secondary coach Ray Horton.
LeBeau's contract expires after this season, but it would be a surprise if he didn't return to the Steelers. At 72, LeBeau takes his coaching career on a year-to-year basis, and leaving Pittsburgh, where he has coached since 2004, would be a difficult decision.
Whisenhunt is close friends with Butler but might not be able to interview him. Butler signed a new contract a year ago after turning down an offer to become the Dolphins' defensive coordinator. Part of his new deal includes a promise that he will take over LeBeau's job when LeBeau retires.
The Steelers might not give permission for Whisenhunt to interview Butler.
Whisenhunt could decide to interview Horton, a Steelers assistant since 2004.
Whisenhunt is expecting to interview other candidates this week in Mobile, Ala., site of the Senior Bowl. He has declined to reveal their names.
It is possible Whisenhunt could hire a coordinator before the Super Bowl, but that seems doubtful at this point. He admires LeBeau and has wanted to use a similar defensive system in Arizona.
It's been nearly three weeks since Whisenhunt fired coordinator Bill Davis, so replacing Davis quickly was not a priority.
After firing his two previous coordinators, Whisenhunt knows he has to find the right person for the job this time. Four other teams - the Titans, Raiders, Broncos and Eagles - are searching for defensive coordinators.
