Ken Whisenhunt Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth

What is Ken Whisenhunt’s Net Worth and Salary?

Ken Whisenhunt is an American professional football coach and former player with a net worth estimated at $12 million. During the peak of his NFL coaching career, he commanded an annual salary of $5.75 million.

Whisenhunt gained fame for his role as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 2007 to 2012, and the Tennessee Titans from 2014 to 2015. His standout achievement was guiding the Cardinals to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance during the 2008 season. He also contributed to a Super Bowl victory with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006 as the offensive coordinator. Over his coaching career, Whisenhunt earned a reputation for his offensive skills and his ability to develop quarterbacks, with notable success stories including Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh and Kurt Warner in Arizona.

Contracts and Salary

In January 2007, Whisenhunt secured a 4-year contract worth $10 million with the Arizona Cardinals. He later signed a 4-year extension in February 2010 for $23 million, resulting in an average annual salary of $5.75 million.

College Career

Born on February 28, 1962, in Augusta, Georgia, Ken Whisenhunt played college football at Georgia Tech from 1980 to 1984, where he shone as a tight end. His time with the Yellow Jackets showcased his skills in both receiving and blocking, earning him recognition as a dependable offensive player. This collegiate success set the stage for his NFL career and deepened his understanding of offensive strategies, which proved advantageous in his coaching trajectory.

NFL Playing Career

Whisenhunt was selected in the twelfth round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He enjoyed a nine-season career in the NFL as a tight end, primarily in backup and special teams roles, playing for the Falcons, Washington Redskins, and New York Jets. While not a standout player, his playing experience provided him with invaluable insights and knowledge that he would later apply to coaching. Overall, he finished with 62 receptions for 601 yards and six touchdowns.

Coaching Career

Whisenhunt began his coaching career in the college ranks as an assistant at Vanderbilt University in 1995. He swiftly moved to the NFL, progressing through various assistant coaching roles. His first major NFL position was as tight ends coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 1997. He rose to prominence as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004 to 2006, contributing to the team’s Super Bowl XL win.

His big break came in 2007 when he was appointed head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Under his guidance, the team achieved its first Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XLIII, though they lost to the Steelers, his former team. During his time in Arizona, the Cardinals clinched two NFC West titles and made three playoff appearances. However, he was let go after the 2012 season due to three consecutive non-winning seasons.

Following a brief stint as the offensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers in 2013, Whisenhunt was named head coach of the Tennessee Titans in 2014. Unfortunately, his time in Tennessee was marked by struggles, culminating in his dismissal midway through his second season with a record of 3-20.

After his tenure with the Titans, Whisenhunt returned as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers from 2016 to 2019, where he continued to showcase his offensive acumen before being dismissed during the 2019 season.

Personal Life & Real Estate

Ken Whisenhunt and his wife, Alice, have two children. In August 2017, the couple purchased a two-acre lakefront property in Clayton, Georgia, for $1.575 million, where they subsequently built an 11,000-square-foot mansion. Today, the estimated value of their home could be around $6 million.