Whisenhunt up for 2nd interview
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 12, 2007 12:00 AM
The Cardinals continued working through their short list of coaching candidates Thursday, interviewing former Packers coach Mike Sherman a second time and setting up a second interview with Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt for today.
Sherman, the Texans assistant head coach, met with Cardinals officials for most of the day and was scheduled to return to Houston in the evening.
Whisenhunt's availability this week is a surprise. He is a contender for the Steelers job, which opened when Bill Cowher resigned last week. But the Steelers apparently are going to take more time filling the job than most people expected. advertisement
They have scheduled an interview with Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey for Saturday and might be interested in talking to coaches involved in the playoffs this weekend.
That could leave Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, another Steelers assistant who has interviewed with the Cardinals, in a difficult situation. If they wait for a decision from the Steelers, they could miss out on other jobs, including the Cardinals'.
Cardinals officials, who weren't available for comment Thursday, interviewed eight candidates and this week narrowed their search to a short list.
They won't say how many coaches are on the list, but NFL sources said team officials still think highly of Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow and Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
The Cardinals interviewed Cameron last weekend in San Diego and can't talk to him again until the Chargers are through with the playoffs. If the Chargers are eliminated, the Cardinals could talk to Cameron again early next week.
It's unlikely the Cardinals would hire a coach before next week, unless Whisenhunt overwhelms them in today's interview. Chances are the Cardinals would like to talk to one or two coaches in the playoffs, and if their teams lose this weekend, the club could interview them early next week.
Contrary to some reports, owner Bill Bidwill has been closely involved in the search and participated in every interview, including the ones with Cameron in San Diego, with Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera in Chicago and with Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell in Indianapolis.
There were erroneous reports Thursday that the Cardinals had offered Sherman the job. Sherman does remain a viable candidate, however.
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 12, 2007 12:00 AM
The Cardinals continued working through their short list of coaching candidates Thursday, interviewing former Packers coach Mike Sherman a second time and setting up a second interview with Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt for today.
Sherman, the Texans assistant head coach, met with Cardinals officials for most of the day and was scheduled to return to Houston in the evening.
Whisenhunt's availability this week is a surprise. He is a contender for the Steelers job, which opened when Bill Cowher resigned last week. But the Steelers apparently are going to take more time filling the job than most people expected. advertisement
They have scheduled an interview with Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey for Saturday and might be interested in talking to coaches involved in the playoffs this weekend.
That could leave Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm, another Steelers assistant who has interviewed with the Cardinals, in a difficult situation. If they wait for a decision from the Steelers, they could miss out on other jobs, including the Cardinals'.
Cardinals officials, who weren't available for comment Thursday, interviewed eight candidates and this week narrowed their search to a short list.
They won't say how many coaches are on the list, but NFL sources said team officials still think highly of Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow and Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.
The Cardinals interviewed Cameron last weekend in San Diego and can't talk to him again until the Chargers are through with the playoffs. If the Chargers are eliminated, the Cardinals could talk to Cameron again early next week.
It's unlikely the Cardinals would hire a coach before next week, unless Whisenhunt overwhelms them in today's interview. Chances are the Cardinals would like to talk to one or two coaches in the playoffs, and if their teams lose this weekend, the club could interview them early next week.
Contrary to some reports, owner Bill Bidwill has been closely involved in the search and participated in every interview, including the ones with Cameron in San Diego, with Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera in Chicago and with Colts assistant head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell in Indianapolis.
There were erroneous reports Thursday that the Cardinals had offered Sherman the job. Sherman does remain a viable candidate, however.