Is Ken Whisenhunt a Top Ten Head Coach in the NFL?

by Hawkwind on Jun 10, 2009 11:29 AM MDT in News Comment 14 comments

Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach Russ Grimm, left, works with the offense including lineman Carlton Medder (66) during practice at Cardinals mini-camp at Cardinals' training facility Tuesday, June 2, 2009, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

5 months ago: Arizona Cardinals assistant head coach Russ Grimm, left, works with the offense including lineman Carlton Medder (66) during practice at Cardinals mini-camp at Cardinals' training facility Tuesday, June 2, 2009, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Browse more photos »

We looked the Sporting News rankings for offensive and defensive players but today we'll look at where Arizona Cardinals head coach, Ken Whisenhunt ranks amongst his peers. The SN also ranks the coordinators (although they skimmed over the co-coordinator roles of Russ Grimm and Mike Miller) so we'll look and see where they rank as well. It's worth mentioning that despite Whisenhunt's short tenure as head coach, two seasons, he's already one of the most successful coaches in franchise history. With so many accomplished head coaches around the NFL though, how high could Whisenhunt be in such a ranking?

Head Coach:

#7 - Ken Whisenhunt, Cardinals. The desert has been a burial ground for good coaches, but Whisenhunt has conquered all the negatives and put the Pittsburgh stamp on the former laughingstock of the league.

Offensive Coordinator:

#12 - Russ Grimm, Cardinals. With Grimm replacing Todd Haley, the Cardinals will get a heavier dose of the running game -- a goal of coach Ken Whisenhunt since he first arrived two years ago. Still, the team's high-powered passing attack will remain the dominant feature. Expect to see more no-huddle attacks and shotgun formations, too.

While I l realize these rankings are just the work of a group of guys and not a consensus voting process of NFL GM's or front office executives, it's still encouraging to see the Cardinals getting respect on multiple fronts. I do wonder where Whisenhunt would have ranked had the Cardinals not made a magical playoff run considering that most of the list seems to based a great deal on recent accomplishment instead of a complete body of work. It's also strange to see Grimm listed in the upper half of the league's offensive coordinators considering that he's never been an offensive coordinator, but he is a very well respected position coach. Thoughts?

0 recs | Comment 14 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

With how Whiz has turned things around I think he should be #1!

by Pyromnc on Jun 10, 2009 2:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Why should I guy with a couple years under his belt,

albeit with excellent results, rank higher than those who have proven to be winners for decades?

by badmatty53 on Jun 10, 2009 2:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was just a joke.....

Of course I would not rate him higher than a Bill Belichick or a Jeff Fisher. I might rate him higher than Sean Payton but 7th is definitely a good rating for just having 2 years experience as a HC.

by Pyromnc on Jun 10, 2009 3:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought so too

by badmatty53 on Jun 11, 2009 10:14 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting to see Pendergast at #11

Bill Davis did not crack the top 20, but has much to prove since he led the 3-4 in Frisco.

by AJ BirdWatcher on Jun 10, 2009 4:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

that's the joke

I wonder what Pendy would have been rated if these rankings were done after the regular season finale.

by Bezekira on Jun 11, 2009 6:01 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok with Whisenhunt's rating

Putting the Whiz where they have him seems ok, he did lead the franchise to a game I didn’t think I’d ever see them in. His overall record is still barely over .500 but in light of who he took over and when, I don’t think there are too many coaches who could have duplicated the success he’s had here in the past two seasons.

I thought the rest of their list was way off, but clearly they were giving a lot more weight to one season than to a longer history of work (i.e. – already having Harbaugh and Sparano ahead of Del Rio and Smith) and it’s laughable to have Childress at #11 and Turner at #13. The Vikings have underachieved since his arrival and Turner’s history should have him near the bottom.

However, they were pretty accurate where it counted the most – good to see the Cards receiving some much deserved respect that was completely void when the playoffs started…

by Long Beach on Jun 10, 2009 4:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Head Coaches Ratings

While I enjoy reading my subscription to the Sporting News, some of their ratings are a joke and appear to more about politics than actual leadership and coaching ability. One coach rated below Whisenhunt is his EQUAL or a better coach and has done it over a longer period of time IMO.

Whisenhunt has slightly above .500 record in the regular season over two season as a HC with Probowlers at the skill positions on offense every where except RB. Lovie Smith has HAD less than ideal talent at the skill position of QB, WR and RB over his tenure as Bears HC. Smith is entering his 6th season as a HC and has a record of 45-35 for a .565 winning percentage over his tenure. 25-15 record at home and 20-20 on the road from 2004-2008 in a tough NFC NORTH Division. Two division titles and a Superbowl appearance in 2006. Also, AP coach of the year in 2005.

I point these things out not to bang on Whisenhunt but to clearly point out how the “media” would have you thinking one way when infact one should be thinking another way.

Whlie Kool-Aid is my favorite drink, it comes down to (for me) who is doing the pouring. Questionable ratings at best by The Sporting News.

by Cardsfan81 on Jun 10, 2009 8:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

plus he wouldn't trade you when you demanded it, right?

by Bezekira on Jun 11, 2009 6:03 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mis-Education

Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha. The most important thing we all could be doing is having fun, sharing knowledge and improving the football “IQ” of the fans that visit the site. That is purely the intent on my part when I post to the site. To the best of my knowledge, I have never been malicious in my assesetment of the talent on the team on the field and that includes the coaching staff. We all have opinions, it appears that mine are not in line with the majority. So what ! If my post are stupid and make no sense at all then refute them with some information or talent evaluations of your own.

Plus he wouldn’t trade you when you demanded it, right? What the hell is that. Substance please, substance. Is that all you got Bezekira?

I want the Cardinals to win, as I’m sure everyone else that visit the site does. Can we focus on the team and leave out all this other nonsense. Or maybe that’s asking to much?

Quote " Even when I’m railed at, I get my share of renown." Pietro Arentino, 1492-1556

by Cardsfan81 on Jun 11, 2009 8:18 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Believe it or not, there wasn’t any malicious intent in my comment. It was simply a joke.

I wasn’t trying to undermine your comment or the thought process that your went through to derive that opinion. The only reason for my ‘joke’ was because the only person who sort of disagreed with Whiz’s ranking happened to have the #81 in his screen name. It had nothing to do with you as a person.

As for your original comment, it’s true that Whiz and Lovie has similar records and that Whiz had more offensive talent. It’s also true that Lovie has had a much better defense than Whiz has ever had to work with some might consider that a wash. I also think the list is very slanted towards recent success instead of a complete body of work. That’s why 11 of last year’s playoff coaches are in the top 13 (Colts new head is only exception), despite four of those coaches (ATL, ARI, MIN, MIA) having less than three years of head coaching experience.

As for Lovie’s resume, it’s certainly not anything to scoff at but it’s not amazing either. He’s finished dead last in the division the same number of times that he’s won it and the NFC North isn’t exactly the bell cow of the NFL. I’m not sure how you judge being a ‘tough’ division but their combined records over the span since Lovie took over (04-08) is a whopping 148-172.

by Bezekira on Jun 11, 2009 8:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs