Cardinals fire defensive coordinator

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Cardinals fired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast on Saturday, less than a week after Arizona played Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

"Like every decision, it comes down to what's best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win," Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team.

Pendergast's departure leaves the team without both coordinators. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley was named coach of the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.

Pendergast was hired by Dennis Green in 2004 and stayed on when Whisenhunt took over in 2007.

"He was one of the guys retained from the previous staff and has done a good job," Whisenhunt said. "But as part of the evaluation process that's done after every season, I took a look at the last two years as a whole and felt this move was necessary to help us continue the progress we've made."

The Cardinals ranked 19th in the NFL in overall defense in the regular season, giving up 331.5 yards per game. They were 22nd in pass defense and 16th against the run.

Pendergast was known for using a variety of blitz and coverage schemes aimed at taking advantage of the Cardinals' speed.

Against the Steelers, the defense played well until the last-minutes drive that ended with the touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds to play that gave Pittsburgh a 27-23 victory.

-- AP