It was the beginning of the year 2007, and the Arizona Cardinals organization was reeling. They had just parted ways with their Head Coach of the past three seasons, the late Dennis Green. The breakup ended one of the bleakest periods in franchise history, a time in which the team went a miserable 16-32.
Rod Graves, their General Manager at the time, was busy lining up replacements for Green. The list included Norm Chow, Russ Grimm, Ron Rivera, Mike Sherman and Jim Caldwell. Also being considered was Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.
He would emerge the winner, and the new leader of the Cardinals started assembling his coaching staff.