Ken Whisenhunt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ken Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt in 2014
Memphis Showboats
Position:	Head coach
Personal information
Born:	(1962-02-28) February 28, 1962 (age 63) Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	233 lb (106 kg)
Career information
High school:	Augusta (GA) Richmond Co.
College:	Georgia Tech
NFL Draft:	1985 / Round: 12 / Pick: 313
Career history
As player:
Atlanta Falcons (1985) Washington Redskins (1989) New York Jets (1991)
As coach:
Vanderbilt (1995–1996) Special teams, tight ends, H-backs coach Baltimore Ravens (1997) Tight ends coach Cleveland Browns (1999) Tight ends coach New York Jets (2000) Special teams coach Pittsburgh Steelers (2001) Tight ends coach Pittsburgh Steelers (2004) Offensive coordinator Arizona Cardinals (2007) Head coach San Diego Chargers (2013) Offensive coordinator Tennessee Titans (2014) Head coach San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2016) Offensive coordinator Penn State (2021–2022) Offensive analyst Alabama (2023) Special assistant to the head coach Memphis Showboats (2025–present) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
As assistant coach Super Bowl champion (XL) PFWA NFL Assistant Coach of the Year (2013) First-team All-ACC (1984)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 62 Receiving yards: 596 Receiving touchdowns: 5
Head coaching record
Regular season:	48–71 (.403)
Postseason:	4–2 (.667)
Career:	52–73 (.416)
Coaching stats at PFR

Kenneth Moore Whisenhunt (born February 28, 1962) is an American football coach. He used to play as a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). Currently, he is the head coach for the Memphis Showboats in the United Football League (UFL).

Ken Whisenhunt played college football at Georgia Tech. The Atlanta Falcons drafted him in 1985. He played for the Falcons for four years. After that, he played for the Washington Redskins and the New York Jets.

He started his coaching career in 1995. He was the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2007 to 2012. He also coached the Tennessee Titans from 2014 to 2015. In 2008, he led the Cardinals to their first ever Super Bowl game. This was a huge achievement for the team. He also led them to their first home playoff games in 60 years.

Before and after being a head coach, Whisenhunt worked as an offensive coordinator for different NFL teams. He had great success with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He helped them win Super Bowl XL in 2005. His most recent role was as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Playing Football in College

After high school, Ken Whisenhunt played college football at Georgia Tech from 1980 to 1984. He studied civil engineering there. In his last year, he was recognized as an All-American player. He was also a top player in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for his final two college seasons.

During his time at Georgia Tech, he caught 62 passes for 596 yards. He also scored 5 touchdowns.

Playing Football in the NFL

Ken Whisenhunt played as a tight end in the NFL for nine seasons. The Atlanta Falcons drafted him in 1985. He played for them for four years (1985–1988). A tight end is a player who can block for runs and also catch passes.

After the Falcons, he played two seasons with the Washington Redskins. He then played two more seasons with the New York Jets. He was known for being a strong blocking player. He retired from playing in 1993.

Coaching Football Teams

Starting His Coaching Career

Ken Whisenhunt began coaching at Vanderbilt University in 1995. He coached special teams, tight ends, and running backs for two years. In 1997, he joined the National Football League as the tight ends coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He then coached for the Cleveland Browns in 1999. The next year, he moved to the New York Jets.

Coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers

In 2001, Whisenhunt became the tight ends coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He helped players like Mark Bruener and Jay Riemersma improve. He also helped develop Heath Miller, who became a very successful tight end.

In 2004, Whisenhunt became the Steelers' offensive coordinator. This role means he was in charge of the team's offense. He was known for being smart and using trick plays at just the right time.

One of his most famous moments was in Super Bowl XL. The Steelers were playing the Seattle Seahawks. Whisenhunt called a special trick play. A wide receiver threw a touchdown pass to another player. This helped the Steelers win the Super Bowl.

Leading the Arizona Cardinals

On January 14, 2007, the Arizona Cardinals hired Ken Whisenhunt as their new head coach. A head coach is the main leader of the team. He had also been considered for other head coaching jobs.

In his first season, the Cardinals improved. They finished with an 8–8 record. This was their best record in many years.

In 2008, Whisenhunt decided to have veteran quarterback Kurt Warner as his main starter. This was a great choice. Warner played very well. He led the Cardinals to win their division title. This was the team's first division title since 1975. They also made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1998.

The Cardinals won their playoff games. They defeated the Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers. Then they won the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. This meant they reached the Super Bowl for the first time in their history. They played against Whisenhunt's old team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, in Super Bowl XLIII. The Cardinals lost a close game, 27–23.

In 2009, Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to another division title. They had a 10–6 record. In the playoffs, they won an exciting game against the Green Bay Packers. However, they lost to the New Orleans Saints in the next round.

After Kurt Warner retired, the Cardinals faced challenges. In 2010, they finished with a 5–11 record. In 2011, they improved to 8–8. In 2012, the Cardinals started strong with four wins. But then they had a long losing streak. Ken Whisenhunt left the Cardinals on December 31, 2012.

Coaching the San Diego Chargers

On January 17, 2013, Ken Whisenhunt became the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers. Under his leadership, the Chargers' offense improved a lot. They went from being one of the lowest-ranked offenses to one of the best in the league.

Leading the Tennessee Titans

On January 13, 2014, the Tennessee Titans hired Ken Whisenhunt as their new head coach. In his first year, the Titans had a tough season. They finished with a 2–14 record.

On November 3, 2015, the Titans decided to make a change. Ken Whisenhunt left the team.

Second Time with the Chargers

On January 13, 2016, Ken Whisenhunt returned to the Chargers. He became their offensive coordinator again. He stayed with the team for several seasons. On October 28, 2019, he left the Chargers.

Working with College Teams

In 2021, Whisenhunt joined Penn State as an offensive analyst. This role involves studying how the offense plays. In 2023, he moved to Alabama. He worked as a special assistant to the head coach.

Current Role with Memphis Showboats

On September 23, 2024, it was announced that Ken Whisenhunt would become the new head coach of the Memphis Showboats. This team plays in the United Football League (UFL).

Head Coaching Record

About His Life

Ken Whisenhunt is married to Alice. They have two children, a son named Kenneth Jr. and a daughter named Mary Ashley.

When he was a boy, Ken Whisenhunt earned the rank of Eagle Scout. This is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America.

Whisenhunt loves to play golf. He grew up in Augusta, Georgia, which is famous for the Masters Golf Tournament. As a teenager, he even helped with the scoreboard at the Masters. He has played on the Masters course many times. He once shot a score of 72, which is very good. He even thought about becoming a professional golfer after he stopped playing football. He has made two holes-in-one in his life.