27 Facts About Ken Whisenhunt

Kenneth Moore Whisenhunt was born on February 28,1962 and is an American football coach and former tight end.

Ken Whisenhunt played college football at Georgia Tech and was selected in the twelfth round of the 1985 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, with whom he played for four years.

Ken Whisenhunt subsequently played two more years with the Washington Redskins and another two with the New York Jets.

Ken Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history during the 2008 season, as well as their first home playoff games in 60 years.

However, following the retirement of Kurt Warner, Whisenhunt posted three straight non-winning seasons and was fired by the Cardinals.

Ken Whisenhunt enjoyed success he had with the Pittsburgh Steelers in his three years as their offensive coordinator under Bill Cowher and winning Super Bowl XL over the Seattle Seahawks during the 2005 season.

Ken Whisenhunt finished first-team all-ACC during his final two college seasons.

Ken Whisenhunt had short stints of two seasons each with the Washington Redskins and New York Jets.

Ken Whisenhunt retired from the league in 1993 after nine seasons in which he was mostly known as a blocking back.

Ken Whisenhunt began his coaching career at Vanderbilt University, where he coached special teams, tight ends and running backs for the Commodores from 1995 to 1996.

Ken Whisenhunt was a transient in his early years in the league, moving to the staff of the Cleveland Browns in 1999 and to the New York Jets the following season.

In 2001, Ken Whisenhunt was hired by the Steelers to coach their tight ends.

Ken Whisenhunt was able to develop players such as Mark Bruener and Jay Riemersma, both considered past their prime, into excellent tight ends.

Ken Whisenhunt oversaw the early development of tight end Heath Miller, who has been a successful tight end in the league.

Ken Whisenhunt took over the role of offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh for the 2004 season after Mike Mularkey became the head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

Ken Whisenhunt had interviewed for the head coaching position with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, and Miami Dolphins.

Ken Whisenhunt was previously interviewed to be the head coach of the Oakland Raiders in February 2006, but he pulled out of talks before an offer could be made.

On December 31,2012, Ken Whisenhunt was fired after three straight non-playoff seasons.

Ken Whisenhunt had interviewed for the head coaching position with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns.

On December 4,2018, it was rumored that Ken Whisenhunt would take the head coaching job at Georgia Tech, where he and AD Todd Stansbury played football at Tech together.

Ken Whisenhunt joined Penn State in 2021 as an offensive analyst.

On February 16,2023, it was reported the Ken Whisenhunt had been hired by Alabama to serve as the special assistant to head coach Nick Saban.

On September 23,2024, it was announced that Ken Whisenhunt would become the new head coach of the Memphis Showboats of the United Football League.

Ken Whisenhunt left the team on March 24,2025, but returned one week later.

Ken Whisenhunt earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a boy.

Ken Whisenhunt contemplated a career in professional golf and after retiring as a player in 1993, he spent a year away from football and played golf extensively, including competing in the '94 US Mid-Amateur at the Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

Ken Whisenhunt unofficially has a third, but it went for a three on his scorecard after his original tee shot went in the water for a penalty.