TEMPE, Arizona (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals has fired assistant offensive line coach and running game coordinator Sean Kugler.
The Cardinals did not confirm Kugler’s departure, but as of Tuesday, the coach is no longer listed as an assistant on the team’s official website. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury told The Arizona Republic that Kugler was fired in an incident Sunday night in Mexico City, one day before the team’s 38-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at San Francisco Stadium.
Kingsbury said Kugler was sent home Monday morning before the game. The coach did not elaborate on the reasons for the dismissal.
Kugler, 56, has been on Kingsbury’s staff since 2019 and was UTEP’s head coach from 2013 to 2017. He was popular with the players and Kingsbury appreciated his work.
The Cardinals are 4-7 this season and offensive line injuries have been part of the many problems. A quarter of the starting five were absent from Monday night’s game with various problems.
Kugler is the second coaching staff member to face disciplinary issues this season. Running coach James Saxon has been placed on administrative leave after being accused of domestic violence.