Whisenhunt and GM Graves Done in Arizona
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Christian Petersen/Getty Images(TEMPE, Ariz.) — After finishing the season losing 11 of its last 12 games, the Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Rod Graves on Monday.
Whisenhunt coached the Cardinals for the last six seasons, compiling a 45-51 record while leading the franchise to its only Super Bowl appearance in its history.
In a statement released by the team Monday, Whisenhunt thanked owner Bill Bidwill, team president Michael Bidwill and former general manager Graves.
“Coaching the Cardinals has been an incredible and rewarding experience and I will always be grateful to Mr. Bidwill, Michael and Rod for giving me that opportunity back in 2007,” Whisenhunt said, “I’m very proud of what we as a team and as an organization achieved during that time. Collectively we accomplished some very special and unprecedented things. That’s a testament to the dedication, hard work and talent of so many coaches, players and people throughout the organization. But we all understand this business and when you don’t win enough games changes are made. That doesn’t mean it’s easy but you definitely don’t have to look far to find people that have it much worse.”
Graves joined the franchise in 1997 as assistant to the president. He became vice president of football operations in 2003 and was named general manager in 2007.
The Cardinals finished the 2012 season with a 5-11 record.
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