Whisenhunt latest Eagles surprise
As the Eagles mark the two-week anniversary of Andy Reid's departure, they confirmed they interviewed Ken Whisenhunt, just fired by the Cardinals, on Monday, as a prelude to interviewing Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden later in the day.
Whisenhunt latest Eagles surprise
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
As the Eagles mark the two-week anniversary of Andy Reid's departure, they confirmed they interviewed Ken Whisenhunt, just fired by the Cardinals, on Monday, as a prelude to interviewing Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden later in the day.
Whisenhunt, who turns 51 next month, was said to be close to getting the Cleveland job last week, but reportedly couldn't agree with the Browns on whether the front office would have veto power on his staffing decisions. He also has interviewed with the Chargers.
Some people feel the Cardinals' front office had more to do with 2012's 5-11 record than Whisenhunt, who went 45-51 overall, but took the Cards to the franchise's first Super Bowl. Whisenhunt was well-regarded as the Steelers' Super Bowl-winning offensive coordinator under Bill Cowher.
Whisenhunt gets demerits for his handling of the Cards' QB situation after Kurt Warner retired. That's a critical question for the Eagles as they try to decide whether to move forward with Nick Foles.
Indianapolis offensive coordinator and former Temple coach Bruce Arians remains to be interviewed. Reports have indicated that would happen Tuesday, but the Eagles said Monday that an interview with Arians has not yet been scheduled. The team did ask for and receive permission to speak with Arians.
In the small world department, Arians was Whisenhunt's quarterbacks coach in Pittsburgh. Aside from being 60 years old, Arians seems to fit many of the criteria Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie cited when he fired Reid. Arians seems to be in demand with several teams interviewing him, after he went 9-3 as the Colts' interim head coach, while Chuck Pagano was being treated for cancer.
FOX's Jay Glazer reported today that the Eagles' Saturday interview with Gus Bradley went well and that the Birds want to meet again with Bradley, who like Arians and Whisenhunt, has other suitors. Lurie has seemed leery of a defensive-oriented coach, and the scoring fest of last weekend's playoff games underscores why -- it's an offensive league now. But not all the coaches who won were offensive guys, they just presided over potent offenses.
Meanwhile, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was blasted by CBSSports.com's Jason LaCanfora. Howie seems to have made some enemies.
The Eagles will never get a good team together until Howie finds a new vocation.— Cardinal Fang- If I'm a stud coach and Roseman showed up, I would look at him as a dork and not be comfortable that he is building the team I am supposed to coach to a Super Bowl.— pslions
- based on the moronic comments of some, I guess the eagles will be the only team in NFL history not to be able to hire a head coach. The thing is that most teams that need a new coachdont have a great situation or they wouldnt be looking for a new coach. I am not a big fan of Howie or Lurie but there are worse sitautions out there and they will find a coach. I just think Lurie needs to make a decision and pick someone. You guys need some perspective.— phillyboy59
- What's the rush? It's not like we're down to 2 coaching prospects and a good franchise is hot on the one we really want. There are tons of candidates. Besides, it's the SECOND most important decision the franchise faces.
That's because until we draft a stud quarterback -- it's not Foles, folks, and some of us knew right away that signing an injury-prone, under-motivated guy like Vick was a major mistake -- we could clone Vince Lombardi, Chuck Noll and Bill Walsh combined to coach this team, and we'd be lucky to finish 8-8.— eman - The rush is you secure quality while quality is available and before it is hired away by your competition so you don't have to settle for the Mornhinweg's of the world.
- A whole bunch of teams are still looking for coaches. Why is it that so many think the Eagles don't have a coach yet because they don't have a clue? Bradley can talk real turkey now. Maybe he can get DRC to play and not loaf. As for DC's as head coaches, the best offense in the league is run by a defensive guy. Belichek may have made a deal with the devil, but he proves that a coach with a defensive background doesn't automatically mean your offense will suck.
As for people wanting to work with Howie, the better question is: does Howie want to work with anybody? There's only one GM in the league who feels he *has* to be able to crow that HE'S the guy who got the SB for the team, and that's Jerry Jones. You see how well that's worked out. They've struggled to make the playoffs, let alone be a contender ever since he took over the job.
Howie, don't make that mistake.— phlexpat - What is the rush? I don't care if they interview a hundred people for the job. There is no clock running on this thing. Take your time, get the right person.— lefty27
