Outside linebackers coach James Bettcher has been promoted to defensive coordinator, replacing Todd Bowles, the Arizona Cardinals announced Wednesday.

Coach Bruce Arians had been expected to promote one of his assistants because he wanted to maintain defensive continuity.

Under Bowles, the Cardinals’ aggressive defense ranked fifth in the NFL in points allowed in 2014 (18.7 points a game). The previous season, the Cardinals were the No. 1 run defense and tallied 47 sacks, third-most in franchise history.

The team also announced Wednesday the hiring of Bob Sanders, previously linebackers coach with the Oakland Raiders, to coach linebackers.

Mike Chiurco, who had spent the last two years as Arians’ assistant, will become assistant secondary coach. He replaces Ryan Slowik, who left to join Bowles’ staff with the New York Jets.

Wesley Goodwin, who had spent the last six seasons as an assistant at Clemson, was hired to take over Chiurco’s old job.