Mike LaFleur earns first win as Cardinals head coach over Chargers
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 12:20 PM
Last updated Sep 16, 2026

Mike LaFleur secured his first victory as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach in a 26-14 win against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 13, 2026. LaFleur's debut demonstrates a historic achievement, as he is the first non-interim head coach to win his opening game since Don Coryell did so in 1973. The Cardinals' head coaching history has seen 25 coaches prior to Coryell, with only a handful achieving a win in their first game. This milestone victory highlights the franchise's long-standing struggle with head coach performance and stability over the years, raising questions about LaFleur's potential future with the team. The organization, founded in 1920, has experienced significant turnover among its coaching staff throughout its history.
- •LaFleur's debut victory came on September 13, 2026.
- •Arizona defeated Los Angeles 26-14 in Week 1 of the NFL season.
- •LaFleur is the first Cardinals head coach since 1973 to win in his debut.
- •The Cardinals have had a turbulent history with 25 head coaches prior to Coryell.
- •Coryell's 1973 win was the last for a non-interim coach in their first game.
- 12:20 PMYahoo Sports — Mike LaFleur milestone victory highlights Cardinals' history of head coaching changes
"A look at the Cardinals history with head coaches following Mike LaFleur's debut victory.
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