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
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.
When do we interview Fassel?— casehop- Prediction: The Eagles will find someone (probably a position coach) from one of the teams that participates in the Super Bowl to fill the coaching vacancy. This person will be touted as the coach the Eagles wanted all along. This coach will also happen to be the first of many to whom the job was offered to accept it. This coach will accept the job because, A) the Eagles offered a lot of money and B) all of the other coaching vacancies were filled.
I actually like this choice, if he gets staff say. BTW, Whisenhunt's hands were firmly tied about Kolb. The Cards' front office gave Kolb 64 million right off the bat, or at least 20 something million guaranteed without having even played a down for them. Then Arizona totally failed to shore up their line. The funny thing is, Kolb went 4-1, got hurt, and the team went into the toilet with Skelton. The exact opposite happened with the QBs last year if memory serves. I like this a whole lot. But what about defense??— kjuggs77- Isn't Barry Switzer available?— HolidayinCambodia
- NO WAY !! We dont want him..Maybe as OC, Lovie as DC, and how bout Mccoy or Bradley for HC......No college coach,No old head coach!! No Marty either! We want fresh,young ,hungry and new!!— tommy129
- Who is "we"? — DogBiscuitthedope
- NO WAY !! We dont want him..Maybe as OC, Lovie as DC, and how bout Mccoy or Bradley for HC......No college coach,No old head coach!! No Marty either! We want fresh,young ,hungry and new!!— tommy129
- Silly. Only coach in recent memory to employee QB Committee....with 3 players!
- I'm laughing my head off. For those who say having a Super Bowl ring is everything, here is your man - Ken Whisenhunt, the coach Arizona fired so they could hire Andy Reid. Welcome to reality, Reid haters.— p-diddy
- The reality, p-diddy, is that another season with your hero was out of the question. How you could watch the comedy of the past five years and defend that coach is incomprehensible to me. Whether it's Bradley, Gruden, Smith, or anyone with some measure of coaching success, I'll take my chances and not look back. Reid. No way you're serious unless you're related or in denial. I'm thinking the latter.
- Lou Holtz next.— Relocator
- Just put Ted Williams head on the sideline and call it a day.— guyguy4
- Some of you guys are DD's. Dramatic Diva's! They sky is not falling and they are interviewing equal talented wanna be HC. There is no stud out there. They will select when its right for them.— JJReid
- If you look at Warner's numbers between 2002 and 2006 they are injury filled and when he did play Warner was very Kolb like. Whisenhunt should get some credit for resurrecting Kurt Warner's career. What makes it more improbable is that it happened in Arizona, with the Bidwell's. The Bidwell family is so cheap they eat cornflakes with a fork to save milk.
— James40
