(Sports Network) - The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt and
general manager Rod Graves on Monday, according to NFL.com.
The Cardinals, who started the 2012 season with a 4-0 mark, lost 11 of their
final 12 games to end with a 5-11 record.
Whisenhunt went 45-51 in six seasons with the Cardinals after being hired in
2007. He led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl after the 2008 season, losing to
the Steelers, and a playoff appearance in 2009.
Things went downhill from there for Arizona, which compiled two 5-11 seasons
around an 8-8 mark in 2011. The main reason for the struggles was the team's
inability to final a franchise quarterback after Kurt Warner retired following
the 2009 season.
The Cardinals sent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round
pick to the Eagles in 2011 for quarterback Kevin Kolb. Arizona gave Kolb a
five-year deal.
However, Kolb was inconsistent on the field and dealt with many injuries since
arriving in Arizona.
In 2012, the Cardinals ended up using four quarterbacks -- Kolb, John Skelton,
Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer.
Graves, who has been with the franchise since 1997, led the team's personnel
department from 2003 through 2012.
The Sports Network