Arizona Cardinals coaching candidates: Who could replace Kliff Kingsbury as head coach?

Speculation has swirled around the job security of Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury throughout the NFL season and it has reached a boiling point after Arizona's 38-13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, a loss that gave the Cardinals a 4-13 record to end the season.

The Cardinals fired Kingsbury on Monday.

Who could replace Kingsbury as the coach of Arizona's NFL franchise?

Here is some speculation about potential future Cardinals head coaches.

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Sean Payton

The former New Orleans Saints coach has been linked to the Cardinals for months, but Arizona would likely have to give up some compensation to land the coach. Recent odds pegged the Cardinals as favorites to land Payton, who stepped away from the Saints after last season. The Sporting News recently ranked the Cardinals as the best potential fit for Payton.

Vance Joseph

The current Cardinals defensive coordinator previously was the head coach of the Denver Broncos. Sports Illustrated recently called him "the lead candidate" to replace Kingsbury, should the Cardinals need a new head coach. NFL.com also listed Joseph as a potential candidate for the job saying he is "highly respected" in the organization.

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Jim Harbaugh

The current Michigan Wolverines coach has been linked to several NFL jobs, and you have to think he might be interested in Arizona, should the Cardinals come calling. Several writers have speculated about his potential fit in Arizona with one writing that Harbaugh and the Cardinals would be a "match made in heaven" and another detailing how Harbaugh rumors could be "gaining steam" in Arizona.

Ben Johnson

The offensive coordinator of the Lions has come up on some lists of potential candidates for Arizona because of the way he has helped Detroit's offensive turnaround this season. Could he do the same in Arizona? Sportsnaut.com raved about his potential fit with the Cardinals, writing that "This is precisely the type of coach fans should want pulling the strings for the Cardinals’ offense. Johnson isn’t being elevated by a future Hall of Fame passer nor is he making this happen with perennial All-Pro weapons. Someone who can design game-winning plays like this against an elite defense deserves to be a head coach."

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Brian Johnson

The quarterbacks coach of the Eagles has turned heads for the way he has helped QBs Jalen Hurts and Gardner Minshew in Philadelphia this season. Perhaps he could elevate Kyler Murray and Arizona's quarterbacks? Of Johnson, sportsnaut.com wrote: "Johnson did more with Trask in college and Hurts in the NFL than Kliff Kingsbury did with Mahomes at Texas Tech and Murray in Arizona. Turning 36 in February, Johnson is among the best Cardinals’ coaching candidates who should be considered."

DeMeco Ryans

Might Arizona try a defensive-minded coach if it moves on from Kingsbury? Ryans has worked wonders for the 49ers' defense and could be an intriguing option with the right offensive staff behind him. The Sporting News recently wrote of Ryans and Arizona: "Ryans has done a terrific job with San Francisco's loaded defense with his scheming and energy. As much as making another tied to maximizing Murray makes sense, the Cardinals just need to target the best fit as an overall leader."

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Byron Leftwich

Might Arizona attempt to bring Leftwich, a former member of Bruce Arians' staff with the Cardinals, back? The offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could be a good fit with the Cardinals, although his offense struggled in Tampa Bay this season.

Shane Steichen

The quarterbacks coach of the Eagles was already mentioned, but we also need to include Philadelphia's offensive coordinator. The Sporting News recently wrote that Steichen could be a "great fit" with Kyler Murray in Arizona. He has done great things with Jalen Hurts.

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Frank Reich

The former Indianapolis Colts coach has a lot of fans, and has had a big impact on some quarterbacks during his career. Fansided's Sion Fawkes recently raved about Reich's potential fit with the Cardinals, writing: "Give Reich someone like Kyler Murray, and you could see them both look like the coach and player everyone expected them to be. If Reich can finish 7-9 with Jacoby Brissett playing quarterback in 2019, then he can get way more out of Murray. And something tells me Murray will respect Reich a bit more than he’s respected Kingsbury."

Jason Garrett

The former Cowboys coach in Arizona? One writer likes the idea. Sion Fawkes of Fansided wrote that "If Michael Bidwill were to hire a coach like Garrett, he also wouldn’t need to tear down the Arizona Cardinals. Garrett would be more than willing to work with quarterback Kyler Murray. And with an arsenal that includes DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown, among others, the Cardinals may be able to cook."

Dan Quinn

The Cowboys defensive coordinator has earned raved reviews for the job he has done in Dallas and could be looked as a candidate to turn things around defensively in Arizona. He has head coaching experience as the coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Leslie Frazier

The former Minnesota Vikings head coach is the defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills and is well respected around the league. Could he flourish if given a second opportunity as a head coach?

Ken Dorsey

The offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, the former QB is a bright offensive mind who has the Bills' offense clicking this season. Might he click with Kyler Murray and help unlock Arizona's offense?

Lincoln Riley

USC head coach Lincoln Riley, who coached Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray during his Heisman Trophy-winning season at Oklahoma, might also be a candidate to replace Kingsbury. Would he be interested in reuniting with Murray?

Who would you like to see the Arizona Cardinals hire as head coach?

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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals coaching candidates: Kliff Kingsbury replacements