Raising Zona
FanSided

Arizona Cardinals coach’s exit ends an impressive decade

By Jim Koch

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 16, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sidelines during the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 16, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Lions 38-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The last two head coaches employed by the Arizona Cardinals have been the winningest ones in the history of the franchise

The Arizona Cardinals’ organization has been around for a long time. A VERY long time, actually. Since 1920 to be exact, back when the club resided in Chicago.

Amazingly though, in all that time, it’s been the last two head coaches that have supplied the most victories for the Cards. Coincidentally (or not), the pair’s achievements just happen to coincide with Michael Bidwill becoming team President in 2007. The son of owner Bill Bidwill Sr. has had a refreshing effect on the Cardinals, having transformed a downtrodden franchise into a respectable one.

Bruce Arians, Arizona’s head coach since 2013, decided to retire following his squad’s 26-24 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday. The emotional win was his 50th for the Cards, making him their all-time winningest leader. The day was a great one, an excellent ending to a productive five years for the Cardinals.

It can be argued that Arians, hired 93 years into the existence of the team, was their greatest head coach. The “Quarterback Whisperer” was the architect of double-digit win seasons during his first three years on the job. Included in that success was two trips to the playoffs, following the 2014 and 2015 campaigns.

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A trip to a Super Bowl with Arizona eluded Arians’ grasp, however. They came close at the end of ’15, after they had won a franchise-best 13 contests during the regular season. A lopsided defeat to the Carolina Panthers in that year’s NFC Championship game, however, prevented an attempt at a Lombardi Trophy.

A Super Bowl appearance did occur for Arians’ predecessor. Following the 2008 season, Ken Whisenhunt led the Cardinals to the “Big Game”, but ultimately they fell just short of a ring. If not for a late, fourth-quarter touchdown by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Championship dream would’ve been realized.

Until this past weekend, Whisenhunt held the distinction of having the most victories for the Cards. Besides the Super Bowl run following the 2008 campaign, there was also a postseason trip at the end of 2009. Little did “Whis” know that Arians, who took his job with the Cardinals, would surpass in wins by the end of this year.

The past decade has been a fun ride for Arizona fans. After years of mostly-dreadful football, the joy that Arians and Whisenhunt gave to followers of the team was well-deserved. Here’s hoping that the new head coach, whoever that turns out to be, will provide more of the same.

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