Former Steelers Coach Sean Kugler, Pitt QB Spencer Whipple to Call Plays for Cardinals vs. Browns

With Arizona head coach Kliff Klingsbury not on the sideline after a positive COVID-19 test, a pair of coaches with Pittsburgh ties will try to led the Cardinals past the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Cardinals run game coordinator and offensive line coach Sean Kugler and assistant wide receivers coach Spencer Whipple will share Klingsbury’s usual offensive play-calling duties, according to a report by Chris Mortensen of ESPN.

Kugler, a Buffalo area native, was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive line coach from 2010-12. 

Whipple, a Pine-Richland alum and the son of former Steelers quarterbacks coach and current Pitt offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, was a walk-on quarterback at Pitt in 2007, while his father coached the Steelers, and then worked as a graduate assistant with the Panthers from 2012-13 under Paul Chryst.

Former Steelers running backs coach James Saxon, former Steelers defensive lineman Brentson Buckner and former Pitt strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris are also on the Arizona staff.

Special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Jeff Rodgers and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will share Klingsbury’s head coaching duties. The Cardinals do not have an offensive coordinator.

Kickoff from FirstEnergy Field is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. The game will be broadcast locally of FOX affiliate WPGH-TV Channel 53.