by Todd Pheifer

Created on: September 14, 2009

Ken Whisenhunt is currently the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in the National Football League (NFL). He is the first coach to lead the Cardinals to a Super Bowl in their franchise history, despite losing a close game, 27-23. Here are a few details on the playing and coaching career of Kenneth "Ken" Moore Whisenhunt.

Playing career

Whisenhunt was born February 28, 1962 in Augusta, Georgia. He attended the Academy of Richmond County in Augusta, Goergia where he played high school football. After high school, Ken attended Georgia Tech, where he played tight end for the Yellow Jackets but also received a degree in civil engineering. The Atlanta Falcons selected Whisenhunt in the twelfth round of the 1985 draft, and he spent eight years playing for the Falcon, Washington Redskins, and New York Jets before retiring from football in 1993.

Coaching career

After his playing career was over, Whisenhunt went into the coaching ranks, starting in college at Vanderbilt University, where he coached special teams and tight ends. In 1997, he went back to the NFL and coached the tight ends for the Baltimore Ravens. Ken's next stop was in 1999, when he coached special teams for the Cleveland Browns. Another tight end coaching job was attained in 2000, this time with the New York Jets. Whisenhunt started to really build his reputation starting in 2001, when he was hired to coach the tight ends of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2004, and enjoyed immediate success, which included a win in Super Bowl XL. After interviewing for head coaching positions with the Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Atlanta Falcons, Whisenhunt was hired by the Arizona Cardinals on January 14, 2007.

Future prospects

Relatively speaking, Whisenhunt has had success with the Arizona Cardinals, particularly since their history before Ken was not exactly impressive. Over two seasons, the team has gone 17-15 and the offensive-oriented Cardinals made it to the Super Bowl in the 2008 season. Whisenhunt reached the Super Bowl with the veteran Kurt Warner and not the "future" quarterback Matt Leinart, which was questioned by some at the time but ultimately paid off. After a Super Bowl appearance the Arizona fans may have higher expectations for Whisenhunt. The superstar talent of Larry Fitzgerald and the steady play of Warner may equal success for Ken in the future. However, nothing is guaranteed in football, and Whisenhunt, like most coaches, will always be under pressure to succeed right now.

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