At 40-years old, Jonathan Gannon was named Arizona’s head coach in February 2023 . Gannon joined the Cardinals after spending two seasons (2021-22) as the defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles. A Cleveland, OH native, Gannon has 15 years of experience in the NFL with the Eagles (2021-22), Colts (2018-20), Vikings (2014-17), Titans (2012-13), Rams (2009-11) and Falcons (2007). Under Gannon, the Eagles boasted a top-10 defense in his last two seasons with the team, ranking 2nd in total defense in 2022 (301.5 ypg) and 10th in the NFL in 2021 (328.8 ypg). Between 2021-22, the Eagles defense led the NFL with 99 sacks, ranked 3rd in total defense (315.1 ypg), 3rd in pass defense (200.4 ypg), 6th in tackles for loss (168), tied for 4th in total return TDs (7) and interception return TDs (4) and tied for 10th in interceptions (29). Gannon has coached with three different NFL teams (Eagles, Colts, Vikings) who have combined for six playoff berths in eight seasons.
The man everyone calls “J.G.” has surrounded himself with believers, and he wants nothing to do with low expectations – “Our sole focus is to win football games,” said Gannon. The energy Gannon gives off is contagious, whether he is entering a press conference or talking to players or running into someone in the hall. Linebacker Kyzir White, who played for Gannon in Philadelphia and is now a Cardinal, said “I’ve never seen him low energy…He’s going to light up a room, he’s going to joke. It’s a great environment to be a part of.”
Before life as an NFL head coach, Gannon attended Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland where he was an All-State defensive back and a standout athlete in basketball and track & field. As a senior, he helped lead the basketball team to the school’s first state championship and starred in the long jump and 110-meter hurdles, helping lead his high school to their first track & field state championship that same year. Gannon was inducted into the Saint Ignatius Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
He and his wife, Gina, have three children – Rocco, Lola and Angelo.
