Arizona

How Arizona Cardinals landed on Mike LaFleur as next head coach

Published

4 weeks ago

February 4, 2026

How Arizona Cardinals landed on Mike LaFleur as next head coach

Mike LaFleur has spent the past three years working directly with Sean McVay, all while the greatest coach of this generation worked through a crucial transitional period. As far as LaFleur’s resume goes, this is bullet point 1A.

McVay’s teams are not associated with failure, but that’s where they were when LaFleur arrived as offensive coordinator. Fresh off a 5-12 season, the Rams were seeking an offensive identity. LaFleur helped them find it by working with McVay to overhaul the run game. This season, that new identity morphed even further, as the Rams led the NFL in three-tight-end usage — antithetical to the three wide receiver sets that McVay helped popularize league-wide when he first arrived.

McVay, of course, is the key architect in Los Angeles. But LaFleur was alongside him throughout those changes, helping implement the new ideas as McVay consciously began to delegate more work to his assistants.

It’s easy, then, to imagine that LaFleur might have learned some grand lessons from his time in Los Angeles. But in his first news conference as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, when asked what he’s learned as a playcaller from McVay, LaFleur instead pointed to a seemingly tiny bit of minutiae.

“The worst playcall is the late playcall,” LaFleur said.

What?

“Everyone’s got good plays, everyone has good scheme,” LaFleur said. “But it’s really leading up to that moment. How clean do we get out of that huddle, how do we operate, how fast do I get that call in there to allow these players to go do what they do best.”

It’s something that seems microscopic in importance, but it reflects how an offensive system operates. Is everyone on the same page? Is there a clear plan of attack? Does the coaching structure make sense?

And it shows up on Sundays. There’s a reason that the Rams committed the fewest pre-snap penalties in the NFL this season, while the Cardinals were repeatedly undone by self-inflicted mistakes.

Perhaps better than anything else said in their 36-minute opening news conference, this explains why the Cardinals landed on LaFleur.

Throughout the afternoon, both owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort spoke of LaFleur’s pedigree. He spent seven years under Kyle Shanahan in various roles, then three under McVay — the two most prominent branches of the modern NFL’s preeminent coaching tree, which traces back to Mike Shanahan in the early 2010s.

It was, essentially, the first thing Bidwill mentioned when explaining the hire, while Ossenfort repeatedly made the same point.

“It was everything about his experience,” Ossenfort said. “Everything about the people that he’s been around.”

And yes, working for Shanahan and McVay matters in terms of play design. No one is better than those two. But play design can be copied from the outside. Most of the league largely runs the same plays.

By pulling from inside that tree, though, the Cardinals hope to unlock the nuances that have made McVay and Shanahan’s acolytes so successful. It’s a trajectory that Matt LaFleur — Mike’s brother — knows well, having been McVay’s first offensive coordinator before landing as the Green Bay Packers head coach.

“This stems back to our days with the Shanahans as well,” Matt LaFleur said. “Learning ball the right way and trying to lay it out and build a foundation that you can lean back on. Having a clear philosophy.”

It’s also about a willingness to adapt that philosophy.

Take the Rams’ explosion of 13 personnel (one running back, three tight ends) usage this season. That was never the plan entering the year. But when Puka Nacua missed two games with a sprained ankle, the Rams adjusted by relying on their tight ends. And when they saw the conflict that created for defenses, they leaned into that new ideology, even when Nacua returned.

“We organically built to that 13 personnel,” Mike LaFleur said. “It wasn’t like we were sitting here a year ago, saying we’re probably gonna be the most 13 personnel usage in football. That’s an absolute lie. The best offenses I’ve been a part of, they’ve organically just gotten to that point.”

In Matt LaFleur’s mind, this is a central tenet of those who have worked under McVay.

“Sean does that as good as anybody in the game, in my opinion, of just being able to adapt,” Matt LaFleur said. “Mike talked about being organic throughout the course of the season and how you evolve. And I think there’s so much truth to that. And you can’t be rigid. I think the days of rigidness in this profession, in coaching, are long gone.”

The last time that Mike LaFleur worked as a playcaller came before his time with McVay. He spent 2021 and 2022 in that role with the New York Jets, where he oversaw a pair of bottom-five scoring offenses.

Ossenfort pointed to the context surrounding that tenure and said that the Cardinals “viewed Mike’s time in New York (as) a positive.” But the vision is that he has learned from that tenure, in part, by studying with the best.

“For him … to learn and to see what (the Rams) have done and to see how coach McVay has run that program, I think that’s all been beneficial,” Ossenfort said.

As for LaFleur’s decision to accept the Cardinals’ job, he described a longstanding admiration for the organization. The Cardinals have twice welcomed LaFleur’s teams amid tragedy, first by allowing the 49ers to practice at State Farm Stadium during the pandemic and later by hosting the Rams for a playoff game during the 2025 Southern California wildfires.

“All you want is ownership to want to win,” LaFleur said. “And win in the worst way. And that was very apparent when I met Michael (Bidwill) last year, how much he loves this organization.”

Of course, the Hollywood version doesn’t tell the full story.

Throughout their coaching search, the Cardinals repeatedly failed to lure some of the league’s most sought-after candidates. Ossenfort did push back on that notion, saying, “Our job was attractive to many candidates.” But multiple experienced coaches spurned interviews in Arizona to accept jobs elsewhere.

LaFleur, meanwhile, might not have known when his next head coaching opportunity would arrive. He’s the first non-playcalling coordinator to be hired as a head coach since Brian Callahan two years ago. And in all likelihood, 10 jobs won’t open up again next year. To get another head coaching offer, LaFleur might have had to prove himself at an intermediate stop as a playcaller. Instead, he was able to use the league’s top-scoring offense to launch himself straight into this role.

All of that is real. But neither side was forced into this marriage. The Cardinals chose LaFleur over at least five other interviewees who didn’t land head coaching jobs. And LaFleur chose the Cardinals over chasing a Super Bowl with the Rams next year.

The goal, of course, is to make that a possibility in Arizona someday.

“We’re putting our best foot forward to go win football games,” LaFleur said.

Then he looked across the room, at a series of six banners commemorating each of the Cardinals’ divisional or conference titles.

“And hopefully,” LaFleur said, “update that back wall.”

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Arizona

Here’s how to give public comment on future Colorado River plans

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how to give public comment on future Colorado River plans

PHOENIX — After years of negotiations, Arizona still doesn’t know what its long-term water future will look like, and now the federal government is preparing to step in.

States across the Colorado River Basin have failed to reach a deal on how to share the shrinking river after current operating rules expire in 2026. With no state-led agreement in place, federal officials are moving forward with their own plan, one that could bring steep cuts to Arizona’s water supply.

And for Arizonans, the clock is ticking to weigh in. Public comment remains open until March 2. To submit your comment on what the government should do, send your comments in email to crbpost2026@usbr.gov.

Additional information is available online. The project website can be accessed here, along with links to YouTube videos published by the government, recorded in January and February which walk through of the options available.

Many Arizona leaders have already offered their public comments, which are overwhelmingly negative.

“We were very disappointed with that document,” said Brenda Burman, the Central Arizona Project General Manager “If any of those alternatives were implemented, it would be very difficult, and perhaps devastating for Arizona.”

Arizona’s top Colorado River negotiator, Tom Buschatzke, echoed those concerns.

“None of those alternatives are very good for the state of Arizona,” Buschatzke said. “I’m not seeing how we’re going to break that stalemate.”

Congressman Juan Ciscomani also criticized the proposals, saying the impacts of Colorado River cuts extends into Pinal, and Pima counties.

“That’s not an acceptable solution for us,” Ciscomani said. “We want to play ball, but we want to make sure everyone across the board uses less and becomes more efficient.”

Some of the federal alternatives would reduce Arizona’s Colorado River supply by 40%, 50%, or in the most extreme case up to 70%.

Experts at ASU Kyl Center for Water Policy say part of the problem lies upstream.

“The reason for this current impasse is because the upper basin states have refused to take cuts in their Colorado River use,” said Sarah Porter, the center’s director.

Upper Basin states like Colorado and Utah rely on different water rules than Arizona and other Lower Basin states, complicating negotiations that have dragged on for years.

Arizona has already been living with cuts for several years. Since 2021, the state has faced an 18% reduction in Colorado River water deliveries due to a Tier 1 shortage declaration. Most of those cuts have fallen on Central Arizona Project users, including agriculture and some tribal communities.

Buschatzke argues that pushing Arizona into deeper reductions would violate long-standing Western water law.

“We will be protecting the state of Arizona,” he said. “And if that has to be litigation, it will be litigation.”

That means a lawsuit against the federal government, or upper basin states is now a real possibility if the final plan moves forward unchanged. The state legislature has put $3 million in a state fund for potential litigation on the Colorado River.

After the comment period closes, the federal government is required to review public feedback and issue a formal ‘Record of Decision’, likely sometime this summer. Advocacy groups say public feedback matters.

“I just encourage Arizonans to look at this document, understand what that means for your family, your businesses, and what it means for the future,” said Kyle Roerink of the Great Basin Water Network. “Then figure out if you want to advocate for one scenario over another.”

A new operating plan must be in place by October 1, setting the rules for how the Colorado River will be managed for years to come, and shaping Arizona’s water future in the process.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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Arizona

Arizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for Feb. 28, 2026

Published

18 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Arizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for Feb. 28, 2026

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers

06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning The Pick numbers

09-12-15-25-31-35

Check The Pick payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers

6-1-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers

07-10-22-30-36

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Triple Twist numbers

08-09-14-17-30-41

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are at 7:59 p.m. Arizona time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

In Arizona, Powerball tickets cost $2 per game, according to the Arizona Lottery.

How to play the Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

To win, match one of the 9 Ways to Win:

5 white balls + 1 red Powerball = Grand prize.
5 white balls = $1 million.
4 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $50,000.
4 white balls = $100.
3 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $100.
3 white balls = $7.
2 white balls + 1 red Powerball = $7.
1 white ball + 1 red Powerball = $4.
1 red Powerball = $4.

There’s a chance to have your winnings increased two, three, four, five and 10 times through the Power Play for an additional $1 per play. Players can multiply non-jackpot wins up to 10 times when the jackpot is $150 million or less.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Arizona

Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Wildcats odds, picks and predictions

The No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks (21-7, 11-4 Big 12) visit the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats (26-2, 13-2) Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. ET (ESPN) tip from McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Arizona. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Kansas vs. Arizona odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.

Kansas got back in the win column on Monday with a 69-56 victory over Houston, covering as a 2.5-point home underdog with the Under (137.5) hitting. G Tre White led all scorers with 23 points while F Bryson Tiller (11 points, 10 rebounds) added a double-double in the much-needed victory after the Jayhawks had dropped 2 of their previous 3.

Arizona has won 3 in a row after taking down Baylor 87-80 on Tuesday, narrowly failing to cover as a 7.5-point road favorite with the Over (154.5) hitting. G Jaden Bradley scored a team-high 25 points, G Brayden Burries added 24, and F Tobe Awaka (10 points, 13 rebounds) added a double-double.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch NCAA basketball on Fubo!

Kansas at Arizona odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 9:40 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Kansas +400 (bet $100 to win $500) | Arizona -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Kansas +9.5 (-110) | Arizona -9.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Kansas at Arizona picks and predictions

Prediction

Arizona 76, Kansas 69

PASS.

There is minimal value on the Wildcats (-550) to win at home on Saturday against a Jayhawks team that is 5-4 on the road this season.

BET KANSAS +9.5 (-110).

The Jayhawks are 18-10 ATS this season, including 9-3 ATS over their last 12. They are 3-1 ATS over their last 4 on the road, as well, and are coming off a massive win over No. 5 Houston to build momentum heading into another tough contest.

The Wildcats have failed to cover in 4 of their last 5 games, including each of their last 4 as favorites and back-to-back games at home.

With a near double-digit spread, the advantage belongs to the road squad.

BET UNDER 149.5 (-105).

The Wildcats have hit the Under in 7 of their last 10 games, including 3 of their last 4. They have scored 78 or fewer points in 4 of their last 5 games while allowing 68 or fewer in 5 of their last 10, including 2 of their last 3.

The Jayhawks have hit a 19-9 Under record this season and have also hit the Under in 7 of their last 10. They have scored 69 or fewer points in 3 of their last 4 while allowing 75 or fewer in 7 of their last 10.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

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