San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt on the sidelines during first quarter of the AFC wild card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is probably the top head coaching candidate left on the open market, and he has plenty of interest around the league. The strongest interest in Whisenhunt comes from the Detroit Lions, and it’s been reported that it would be a shock if the Lions didn’t hire Whisenhunt. They are going to wait as long as it takes- until the Chargers playoffs are over- to interview Whisenhunt, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they hired him by tomorrow if the Chargers cannot beat the Denver Broncos.
Whisenhunt has done great things for the Chargers and their offense, as he’s played a key role in helping Philip Rivers have a renaissance season here in 2013-14. However, he’s as good as gone after the Chargers season is officially over, because there is just too much interest in him, especially from the Lions.
So how do you replace some one as good and as experienced as Whisenhunt? Most teams promote their quarterbacks coach when looking to replace a departed head coach, and that’s what the Chargers would be expected to do. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers want to promote former quarterback Frank Reich to the offensive coordinator gig if the team does indeed lose Whisenhunt, and this would be a wise move due to Reich’s experience in the league and ability to work with Rivers.