OT: San Diego OC Ken [Whisenhunt] Leading Candidate for Lions Head Coach
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10246337/ken-whisenhunt-san-diego-cha….
Also being considered is J. Gruden.
And, OK, his name is really Ken Whisenhunt.
MOD EDIT: Now, now....be nice to potential head coaches for the Lions. - LSA
January 5th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
The CBS story has an interesting tidbit, although it does quote "sources close to Whisenhunt", so take the below quote for what it may be worth. It sounds very promising all the same and this would be a pretty good fit for the Lions, I think.
All things being equal, the Lions are interested in offensive-minded coaches, with getting quarterback Matt Stafford sorted out a primary concern there, and, according to sources close to Whisenhunt, he views the Lions opening as being the best opportunity available and a place where a new coach could win immediately.
Supposedly, Whisenhunt already has a developed notion of what sort of staff he might have, if the article is accurate. For defensive coordinator, apparently he would go for names like Teryl Austin, Keith Butler or Clancy Pendergast.
January 6th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^
Teryl Austin has Michigan ties, but I think Butler's the better choice
January 5th, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
Nobody beats the Whis.
January 5th, 2014 at 3:07 PM ^
January 5th, 2014 at 3:55 PM ^
Btw, Jon Gruden would be awesome if they could get him!
January 5th, 2014 at 3:13 PM ^
Whisenhunt has the reputation of taking talented QBs who are struggling a bit and maxing out their potential. IMO the idea of a "big time discipilnarian coach", while always popular with the fans, almost never works out. Take the guy with the gameplan chops, not the guy who talks tough and promises no penalties IMO.
January 5th, 2014 at 3:29 PM ^
January 5th, 2014 at 4:14 PM ^
...especially compared to a guy who's taken his team to the super bowl and ressurected the careers of two Pro Bowl QBs.
Not saying I like Whisenhunt, but 6-0 compared to that? Ugh, I'll take the "that."
January 5th, 2014 at 4:27 PM ^
The guy is not HC material.
January 5th, 2014 at 5:20 PM ^
Didn't we just dump an undisciplined hot head?
January 5th, 2014 at 3:30 PM ^
Whisenhunt is a safe choice but certainly not bold. I'd feel slightly better than "meh" about him.
January 5th, 2014 at 4:48 PM ^
I don't think a hot shot coordinator is bold; that's risky.
This team is ready to win now. I just hope they get it right
January 5th, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^
I'd be pretty excited about him. He's easiy the best available candidate.
January 5th, 2014 at 5:19 PM ^
I'd be pretty excited about him. He's easiy the best available candidate.
January 5th, 2014 at 3:46 PM ^
January 5th, 2014 at 4:11 PM ^
...not sure if you're going to get anyone better.
That said, who should the Lions draft?
At first glance, I'll take a shot...
1st round: Taylor Lewan - OT - Michigan (many will roll their eyes at the homerism, but I think it's a situation of best player available)
2nd round: Jordan Matthews - WR Vanderbilt / Bradley Roby - CB - OSU
3rd round: LaMarcus Joyner - CB - FSU / Devante Parker - WR - Louisville
4th round: Chris Borland - ILB - Wisconsin
6th round: Ishaq Williams - OLB/WDE - Notre Dame
7th round: Gabe Ikard - C- Oklahoma
7th round: Venric Mark - RB/WR - Northwestern
January 5th, 2014 at 4:33 PM ^
The only OL position they need is C to replace Raiola.
What they need is a second receiver, maybe another TE if Petitgrew does not re-sign, a safety, a pass rushing end, an OLB, and corner. Outside of WR everything else is not in order of need. The pass rush and secondary play does have to be improved for this defense to be the type to win championships.
January 5th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^
He's going to be a very good NFL WR.
Sammy Watkins and Marquise Lee will be 1st rounders, but Matthews is no joke.
January 5th, 2014 at 5:48 PM ^
Yeah you're being a homer. That's a terrible draft for the Lions and they do not need a tackle. Taylor Lewan would also not be best available for the Lions.
January 5th, 2014 at 8:24 PM ^
I tried.
And the Lions could definitely use OL help. They're not deep at ALL. Reiff can play RT and Lewan LT.
He would be the best player available according to ESPN and DraftCountdown.com, the resources I was using.
Oh well! It's January, plenty of time to get better.
January 5th, 2014 at 4:29 PM ^
January 5th, 2014 at 4:30 PM ^
January 5th, 2014 at 5:27 PM ^
January 5th, 2014 at 5:58 PM ^
Unless of course you really hate the guy for some reason and have some personal vendetta and refuse to say his name correctly.
January 5th, 2014 at 5:55 PM ^
Why is Whisenhunt shown [Whisenhunt]?
Shouldn't "Ken" be in brackets or parenthesis if anything?
January 5th, 2014 at 6:17 PM ^
The OP originally misspelled his name. It may have been an accident. It may have been a terrible attempt at humor. The brackets are supposed to let us know the Mods changed it.
January 5th, 2014 at 8:27 PM ^
Makes sense.
Where've you been man? You've been missed around these parts. Maybe I haven't been looking hard enough...
January 5th, 2014 at 6:41 PM ^
It would be a good hire for the Lions.
January 5th, 2014 at 7:22 PM ^
Lions need a established head coach w discipline to take them to the next level.
January 5th, 2014 at 8:28 PM ^
...would you (Lions) fans want him?
January 5th, 2014 at 9:23 PM ^
Whisenhunt was very well regarded during his time as OC of my beloved Steelers in 2004-06. Most Steelers fans wanted him to get the HC job when Cowher resigned/retired. Although Big Ben did not play well in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, it is an accomplishment for an OC to have helped lead a team to a Super Bowl Championship with a 2nd year QB. Whiz seemed to do a good job in Arizona before running out of gas. IMO he's an outstanding OC; not sure about HC. He may be able to help Stafford put it together?
January 6th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
Whisenhunt should be a no brainer for the Lions "if" he chooses them. The guy is a very good coach who has been to the Super Bowl with multiple franchises and is well liked around the league, which only helps with bringing in good cords as well as FA's.