After having a good visit Wednesday with Raiders boss Al Davis, Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt informed the Raiders that he would stay with the Steelers.

 

Whisenhunt left Oakland Wednesday night on a red-eye flight without an offer. He was told by Davis that the team would get back to him in a couple of days. Conversations with the team and Whisenhunt continued Thursday morning until Whisenhunt decided that staying with the Steelers was his best move.

 

While talking to Whisenhunt, the Raiders apparently made an offer to Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, who turned them down Wednesday night, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported. It was the third overture to Petrino, who said he was flattered but wanted to remain in Louisville.

 

With Whisenhunt out of the picture, the Raiders could move quickly to return former Raiders coach Art Shell to head coaching duties. Shell interviewed Feb. 2 and told Davis he's ready to serve when necessary. Shell is in the Tampa area for the next couple of days, but he told Davis he's ready to accept the job if offered.

 

Whisenhunt's agent, Eric Metz, stayed over in Oakland on Thursday night, but he left town Thursday without any deal being offered and knowing Whisenhunt's decision.

 

For Whisenhunt, it was going to be hard to leave a Super Bowl team, particularly one with the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, Ben Roethlisberger. By staying, Whisenhunt can continue to expand the passing offense around Roethlisberger for an organization that has a chance to return to the Super Bowl in the next few years.

 

The Raiders had the luxury of waiting until after the Super Bowl to hire a head coach because they have the ability to keep many of the assistant coaches from last year's staff. Should Shell get the job, he will only have to make a couple of hires.

 

 

 

Looks like the fall-back guy is going to be Shell, if so, welcome back to the league BIG GUY!!!

Wow, talk about two major rebuffs! I thought for sure Whisenhunt was gone.

This is good news, Steelers need Whisenhunt to coordinate their wierd offense.