Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Ken Whisenhunt is New Alabama Hire

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Taylor Tilley | Last updated 2/16/23

Ken Whisenhunt is another name added to Nick Saban’s list of big-name hires, as a special assistant. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg noticed a change in the Crimson Tide staff directory on Wednesday.

Whisenhunt was with the Los Angeles Charges from 2016-19 as an offensive coordinator. More recently, he was an offensive analyst at Penn State.

The start of his career was at Vanderbilt in 1995 as an assistant coach, but he is more well known for his involvement in the NFL. Ken Whisenhunt’s experience absolutely attracted Nick Saban.

Super Bowl win as an offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2005)
Assistant for Bill Cowher (2001-06)
Head coach for the Arizona Cardinals and went to the Super Bowl in 2008 (2007-12)
Head coach for the Tennessee Titans (2014-15)
Eight seasons as NFL head coach going 48-71

Ken Whisenhunt replaces Drew Svoboda, who left Alabama for North Texas. Also, there are already ties between Whisenhunt and Alabama. Zach Mettenberger, Whisenhunt’s son-in-law, is an Alabama analyst and former quarterback for Georgia, LSU, and the NFL.

It’s likely this is a good move for both Saban and Whisenhunt. Many Saban hires have used the opportunity as a steppingstone for other opportunities.