Arians completes staff with hiring of assistants

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - New Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians has completed his staff with the announcement of the hiring of 13 assistants.

The group includes former Cardinal Stump Mitchell as running backs coach and Amos Jones as special teams coordinator. Mitchell was head coach at Southern University the past three seasons. Jones has spent the last six seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and was special teams coach there last year.

Others and their responsibilities are: outside linebackers James Bettcher, defensive line Brentson Buckner, linebackers Mike Caldwell, tight ends Rick Christophel, wide receivers Darryl Drake, offensive assistant Kevin Garver, assistant special teams-assistant tight ends Steve Heiden, pass rush specialist Tom Pratt, defensive backs Nick Rapone, cornerbacks Kevin Ross and assistant offensive line Larry Zierlein.

Freddie Kitchens and Ryan Slowik were retained from coach Ken Whisenhunt's staff. Kitchens will switch from tight ends to quarterbacks coach. Slowik will switch from outside linebackers to assistant defensive backs coach. Arians earlier announced the hiring of defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin and assistant head coach-offense Tom Moore.