Ray Horton isn’t heading to the Arizona Cardinals by himself.

DeShea Townsend will be hired to coach the defensive backs, news first reported this morning by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Townsend isn’t the only hire Horton will get. He’s also bringing with him Louie Cioffi, according to an NFL source.

Cioffi, the Bengals assistant defensive backs coach since 2003, is expected assist with the defensive backfield as well. Townsend and Cioffi are well versed in Dick LeBeau’s defense in Pittsburgh, and the Cardinals are expected to try to emulate what the Steelers have done. Of course, it takes more than a scheme, it takes players. But Horton is well respected and he’ll have the support of coach Ken Whisenhunt, who worked with him previously in Pittsburgh.

With Townsend and Cioffi in place, assistant defensive backs coach Rick Courtright has been informed he will not be retained, according to a source. Courtright gets bad news at a very bad time with nearly all staffs full around the league. He has one year remaining on his contract.

Details on Chalk Talk, an NFP Seminar at the Combine

Follow me on Twitter: BradBiggs

Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune