Mack Wilson Sr. and Jacoby Brissett texted every day for 27 straight as they tried to predict who might become their next head coach with the Cardinals.
Moments after guesses shifted to an answer, the linebacker grabbed his phone again and composed a text to his new head coach, Mike LaFleur. Before he could put his phone down, there was an incoming FaceTime call.
“It was coach Mike and (when) he picked up, I was super juiced,” Wilson said. “For him to pick up the phone and call me right away, it was super dope and it just shows how much he cares and how much he’s ready to get to work with his guys.”
Wilson was among the many Cardinal players to FaceTime LaFleur.
“The (calls) that fired me up the most was coming from you guys,” LaFleur said during his introductory press conference to nearly 20 players that sat in the back and stood along the walls of the auditorium. “It got me just more excited to get going, so I appreciate you guys and can’t wait to get to work.”
Wilson said he received a text on Monday about the press conference and was on a flight that night to support LaFleur.
As the players and staff filed into the room, there was a buzz in the auditorium that had not been felt in recent weeks. General manager Monti Ossenfort acknowledged that the search took time, but it was mandatory that the team selected the right candidate.
During that period, there were levels of uncertainty that many experienced. Michael Wilson, who had been in the building prior and met LaFleur during his in-person interview, said there was excitement about adding LaFleur to the organization.
Once the team landed on LaFleur, relief took over.
“It was a big weight off (our shoulders),” the wide receiver said. “A couple of my teammates texted me and were really excited about the hire. I think maybe halfway through the coaching hire I kind of had an inkling that Mike was going to be the guy. But it was a big weight off of our shoulders and now we have some sort of direction going forward.”
There is an eagerness from Michael to learn how LaFleur can craft an offense that can create opportunities for himself, All-Pro tight end Trey McBride, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
“He’s extremely passionate about the game of football,” Michael Wilson said. “I’m sure everyone can feel that it oozes out of his whole persona that he’s dead serious about football.”
It’s too early before LaFleur would make any power statements about the team’s on-field future. In the meantime, the goal is to build a staff, develop relationships with those in the building, and settle into the role as a first-time head coach.
As LaFleur spoke about the importance of family, sitting just a few feet in front of his own, the theme of togetherness was one he hoped to convey to the players.
“I promise I’ll pour it all for you guys every single day,” LaFleur told the team.
Mack Wilson believes the locker room will do the same.
“Having the guys here today shows coach LaFleur that we’re behind him,” Mack said. “I feel like it gives him a sense of confidence and juice that we’re fired up.”
