ARIZONA CARDINALS

Former Cardinal Warner understands why Whisenhunt was fired

Jan 9, 2013, 6:09 PM | Updated: 7:24 pm

On Tuesday afternoon, NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner joined Arizona Sports 620’s Doug & Wolf to discuss his former team and the changes it has made.

Warner — being the player and man that he is — had strong feelings towards the hiring of Steve Keim and firing of his former coach, Ken Whisenhunt.

He understood the due process of head coaching positions in the NFL, and knew the reasoning behind the Cardinals’ immediate actions after a second 5-11 season in three years.

“When you’re struggling, that’s what people are going to remember first,” Warner said for the reason behind Whisenhunt’s firing, amongst others across the league. “That’s obviously why he (Whisenhunt) doesn’t have a job here in Arizona.”

While the firing was rightfully earned in Warner’s eyes, he says it doesn’t deplete the value of Whisenhunt’s stock.

“Look what coach Whisenhunt did here with this organization. No success for however long, he comes in, turns it around, wins a couple division championships, goes to the Super Bowl,” Warner said. “(He) did some amazing things that nobody has really done here before. That to me is why you have to give a strong look to somebody like Coach Whisenhunt.”

Outside of Whisenhunt and the Cardinals, the other six head coaching vacancies came due to lackluster performances throughout — or to close out — the season.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

19 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

22 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Former Cardinal Warner understands why Whisenhunt was fired