Professor

When the Cardinals promised that retention, not recruitment, would be theme of the 2008 off-season, everyone assumed they were referring only to players and free agency.

It turns out it applies to the coaching staff, too.

The Cardinals signed offensive coordinator Todd Haley to a new three-year contract Tuesday, a day after the Dolphins called to ask permission to interview Haley for their head-coaching position. The Cardinals granted permission, as required by NFL rules, but then moved to keep Haley.




The deal prompted Haley, 40, to cancel the trip to Miami, where he was going to interview with his former boss, Bill Parcells, who runs the Dolphins football operations.

The new contract essentially replaces Haley's current one with the Cardinals, which was set to expire after the 2009 season.

The new contract runs through 2010 and includes a substantial raise, which will put Haley among the higher-paid coordinators in the NFL, according to sources. The Cardinals declined to release financial terms.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt credited owner Bill Bidwill and team President Michael Bidwill for making the financial commitment to keep Haley.

"Continuity is such an important part (of success)," Whisenhunt said. "Our offense made significant strides this year. We had a number of players that achieved milestones, and Todd was a big part of that. That gives us a chance to pick up where we left off."

Haley came to Arizona last year from Dallas, where he coached receivers and coordinated the Cowboys' passing game under Parcells. Whisenhunt eventually plans to hand over play-calling duties to Haley, who has been an NFL assistant for 11 years.

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