Ken Whisenhunt

College: Georgia Tech
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
DOB: February 28, 1962
Cardinal Season: 2nd
NFL Season: 12th

Note CARDS:

• Became an NFL head coach for the first time when hired by Arizona on January 14, 2007.
• Comes to the Cardinals with 10 years of experience as an NFL assistant coach and also played nine seasons in the league as a tight end/H-Back.
• Spent the previous six seasons with the Steelers, the first three as tight ends coach and the last three as offensive coordinator; helped team earn victory in Super Bowl XL.
• Took over as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator the same year the team drafted QB Ben Roethlisberger (2004). That year Roethlisberger went on to set an NFL record with wins in his first 13 career starts en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The next season he became the youngest QB in NFL history to win a Super Bowl.
• In Whisenhunt’s first year as coordinator, the Steelers ground game improved from 31st to 2nd and the overall offense ranked 16th. His second year ended with an NFL title after the Steelers offense averaged 26.8 points per game in the playoffs.
• Previously coached at the pro level with the Jets (2000), Browns (1999) and Ravens (1997-98); began his coaching career in the collegiate ranks with Vanderbilt (1995-96).
• Was selected in the 12th round of the 1985 NFL Draft by Atlanta; went on to play nine NFL seasons with the Falcons (1985-88), Redskins (1989-90), and Jets (1991-93).
• Entered Georgia Tech as a walk-on and finished career ranked second on the school’s all-time receiving yardage list and fourth in career receptions; earned degree in civil engineering

Whisenhunt was named the team’s head coach on January 14, 2007 when he signed a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth.

Whisenhunt, 45, comes to the Cardinals with 10 years of experience as an NFL assistant coach and also played nine seasons in the league as a tight end and H-Back. He spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers and helped the team to a victory in Super Bowl XL.

COACHING CAREER: Before coming to Arizona, Whisenhunt served six seasons as an assistant on Bill Cowher’s staff with the Steelers, the first three as tight ends coach and the last three as offensive coordinator.

In his first year as coordinator, the Steelers rushing attack improved from 31st to 2nd and the overall offense ranked 16th behind rookie QB Ben Roethlisberger. His second year ended with an NFL title after the Steelers offense averaged 26.8 points per game in the playoffs. This past season, Pittsburgh’s offense ranked 7th overall (9th passing and 10th rushing).

Whisenhunt took over as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator in 2004 when Mike Mularkey became head coach of the Buffalo Bills. That was the same year the team drafted Roethlisberger and the rookie QB went on to set an NFL record with wins in his first 13 career starts en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The next season he became the youngest QB in NFL history to win a Super Bowl and finished third in the league in passer rating (98.6).

Whisenhunt joined the Steelers in January of 2001 as tight ends coach when Mularkey was elevated from that position to offensive coordinator. He previously coached at the pro level with the New York Jets (tight ends, 2000), Cleveland Browns (special teams, 1999) and Baltimore Ravens (tight ends, 1997-98). He began his coaching career in the collegiate ranks with Vanderbilt for two seasons (1995-96)

PLAYING CAREER: Whisenhunt was drafted in the 12th round of the 1985 NFL Draft by Atlanta out of Georgia Tech. He went on to play nine NFL seasons with the Falcons (1985-88), Redskins (1989-90), and Jets (1991-93). In 74 career games (37 starts), he caught 62 passes for 601 yards and six touchdowns.

After going to Georgia Tech as a walk-on, he finished his college playing career ranked second on the Yellow Jackets’ receiving yardage list (1,264 yards) and fourth in career receptions (82). He was a consensus All-ACC and honorable mention All-America selection as a senior in 1984 when he averaged 19.1 yards-per-catch.

PERSONAL: Born February 28, 1962 in Atlanta, GA, Whisenhunt was raised in Augusta and is a graduate of Richmond Academy. He earned a degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech. Ken and his wife, Alice, have two children – son, Kenneth, Jr. (16) and daughter Mary Ashley (14).