Jonathan Gannon is a man of many talents, but giving inspiring speeches might not be one of them.
On Thursday night, the Cardinals released a video on X, former known as Twitter, promoting the latest episode of its “Cards Flight Plan” behind-the-scenes series, and the clip was awkward, to say the least.
The video is 37 seconds long and shows portions of one of Gannon’s speech to the team during training camp.
What he had to say was just fine.
But how he said it leaves much to be desired.
“Welcome back,” Gannon began his speech, which appeared to be edited and trimmed in the clip. “Who drove over here? Quick, let me see your hands. Who took the bus? Do you have fire in your gut? Did you?
“We’re here for a reason. Don’t get that twisted. OK? We’re here for a reason, to win games. So if you didn’t have that fire in your gut, you better light the fire pretty fast. Be who you are. Just understand, I’m looking for f–king killers.”
The video includes cutaways of various players with looks on their faces as blank as Gannon’s delivery was flat.
The video tries to raise the energy by using background music, but all it does is remind the viewer of the contrast between Gannon’s words and his delivery.
Not all head coaches will breathe fire and brimstone.
Not all head coaches will ask you to “win one for the Gipper.”
But all head coaches need to command the room and it’s clear that right now, Gannon is still trying to find his voice.
Gannon is in his first season as a head coach in the NFL.
Arizona hired Gannon, who was previously the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, in February after Philadelphia lost Super Bowl LVII to the Chiefs, 38-35.
The former defensive coordinator makes his regular-season coaching debut on Sunday, Sept. 10 when the Cardinals visit the Washington Commanders.
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