ARIZONA CARDINALS

Whisenhunt on job status: ‘I control what I can control’

Dec 10, 2012, 7:51 PM | Updated: 8:30 pm

If Ken Whisenhunt’s proverbial coaching seat was only lukewarm heading into Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, it’s certainly been notched up a few degrees after the Arizona Cardinals suffered their worst loss in franchise history, 58-0.

The organization hasn’t been shy about letting go of a head coach following an embarrassing defeat. After Arizona was routed 48-7 by the Dallas Cowboys back in October 2000, team president Bill Bidwill and general manager Bob Ferguson fired head coach Vince Tobin a day later and replaced him with defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis.

While Whisenhunt didn’t suffer the same fate Monday, he was asked about his job status and the relationship he has with team management.

“I’ve talked to Michael [Bidwill] every day,” Whisenhunt said. “We talk about all kinds of things. You know I control what I can control.

“Like I said, I understand this business and I have a job to do. I feel disappointed we haven’t done it.”

With their loss on Sunday, the Cardinals have now been eliminated from postseason contention for the third consecutive year. And while Whisenhunt built up plenty of goodwill within the organization after leading the Cardinals to back-to-back division titles in 2008 and 2009, that seems like an afterthought these days in the midst of a nine-game losing streak.

Although it would be easy for the Cardinals coach to deflect the negative attention he and his woeful team have garnered around the Valley in recent weeks, Whisenhunt admitted Monday that the fans deserve better.

“My greatest disappointment is for our fans,” said Whisenhunt. “They’ve been so good to me and to us. I feel like I’ve let them down from not being able to do what we wanted to do.”

After the 2012 season, Whisenhunt still has one year remaining on his current contract for $5.5 million.

In 93 games as Arizona’s head coach, Whisenhunt is 44-49.

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.

14 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.

17 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.

1 day 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

Whisenhunt on job status: ‘I control what I can control’