Horton has 'no aminosity' toward Cards

Jan. 24, 2013

Former Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton made the rounds on Valley radio stations on Thursday.

On with XTRA Sports 910’s Mike Jurecki and Dan Bickley, Horton expressed excitement over his new gig as the Browns defensive coordinator because of Cleveland’s youth and speed. Horton confirmed that he will run the same defense he ran in Arizona.

When talk turned to Horton’s unsuccessful bid to become the Cardinals next head coach, things got interesting. Horton confirmed that Norv Turner would have been his offensive coordinator and Mike Tice would have joined the staff as the offensive line coach, but Horton wanted everyone to know that neither he nor his agent was the source for those two names Jurecki reported.

Unfortunately, Horton got hung up on that fact for much of the interview, which ate up much of the time.

Jurecki also reported recently that Cards general manager Steve Keim and Horton got in a heated discussion after Bruce Arians became the choice as the next coach. Horton said that was absolutely false.

“I was gone,” he said. “I haven’t talked to the GM since a week ago Monday. That’s 11 days, so I couldn’t have had an argument. I was on a plane to Mobile (Alabama for the Senior Bowl).”

Horton said he and Keim discussed their friendships, how to build a team and communication issues. He added that they shook hands and there was “no animosity.”

Horton discounted notions that he didn’t get the job because of his race as well as the more outlandish notions that he didn’t get it because of his braided hairdo or appearance.

“It just seems the trend this year in the hiring was offensive coordinators,” he said. “There were other well-qualified candidates that didn’t get hired either.”

Horton reiterated that obviously he wanted the job and felt he deserved it. He also felt he hit “a home run” in the interviewing process.

“I am disappointed, but I’m not mad,” he said “There is no animosity at all, there’s no malice, there’s nothing but love for the Arizona fans and my players -- they played their butts off for me.

“I was proud to have a bunch of men that I was able to lead and instruct. They trusted me; I trusted them.”

-- Craig Morgan