Ken Whisenhunt

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Whisenhunt was hired on January 14, 2007. In his second season (2008), he started veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, leading the team to a 9–7 record and the NFC West Division championship—their first title since 1975. The Cardinals advanced past the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers in the playoffs before defeating the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game on January 18, 2009. They faced his former employer, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Super Bowl XLIII, losing 27–23. The following season (2009), Whisenhunt guided the Cardinals to a 10–6 record and another NFC West title. They defeated the Green Bay Packers 51–45 in overtime during the Wild Card Round before losing to the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round. After Kurt Warner's retirement, the team struggled; they finished 5–11 in 2010, went 8–8 in 2011, and started 4–0 in 2012—their best start since 1974—before losing nine straight games. Whisenhunt was fired on December 31, 2012, after three consecutive non-playoff seasons.

In Their Own Story

On January 18, 2009, the Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Earlier that season, Whisenhunt made the pivotal decision to start Kurt Warner over Matt Leinart, a move that resulted in a division title and a playoff run ending in Super Bowl XLIII against the Steelers.

Reader's Guide

Whisenhunt coached the Cardinals from 2007 through 2012. He compiled an overall head coaching record of 48–71 across his career, including a 4–31 mark in his final 35 games. With Arizona, he posted three straight non-winning seasons after the 2009 campaign and was fired following the 2012 season.

Did You Know?

• Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to their first home playoff games in 60 years during the 2008 season.
• The Cardinals' 4–0 start in 2012 was their best beginning since 1974, when Don Coryell coached the team in St. Louis.
• Whisenhunt called a wide receiver reverse pass (Antwaan Randle El to Hines Ward) for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII while with the Steelers, marking the first TD pass thrown by a WR in Super Bowl history.
• He was fired by the Cardinals on December 31, 2012, after three consecutive seasons without making the playoffs.