TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Keith Rowen was fired Tuesday from his position as offensive coordinator of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.
Rowen's firing comes the day after the Cardinals built a 20-0 lead over the undefeated Chicago Bears, only to surrender two touchdowns to the Bears' defense and another to their special teams in losing 24-23.
Quarterbacks coach Mike Kruczek was promoted to offensive coordinator, Cardinals Coach Dennis Green said Tuesday.
Rowen joined Arizona in January 2005 after spending six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs as the tight ends coach.
Arizona was in the middle of the NFL pack with an average of 18.6 points a game this season. The Cardinals, coming off a season in which they finished eighth in yards in the league, are 23rd in the NFL in total offense.
Kruczek has been the team's quarterbacks coach since Green's arrival in 2004. He was a backup quarterback for the 1978-79 Super Bowl champion Steelers. Before joining Arizona, he spent 19 seasons at the University of Central Florida, six as head coach.
