Myth Busting: Steelers Did Not Choose Mike Tomlin Over Ken Whisenhunt

As we figure out what to do with ourselves for the next week-and-a-half in anticipation of Super Bowl XLIII, we're left to try and find topics to talk about, and this can be a bad thing. Every year there's that one storyline that gets blown up and driven into the ground, relentlessly beating us over the head until we can't take it anymore.

For example: did you know Jerome Bettis is from Detroit?

Early on, the leader in the clubhouse for this year's Bettis-is-from Detroit dead horse is the connection between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, and how the Steelers, supposedly, chose Mike Tomlin over him. Even if they didn't.

On Wednesday, at the fantastic Pittsburgh sports blog, Mondesi's House, they published the following question from a reader:

"It's been a few years since the hire, and maybe I have taken too many blows to the head, but didn't Ken Whisenhunt take the Arizona job before the Steelers made their decision? Every article I've read seems to want to rewrite history to spice up the game. Take the article on nfl.com: "Steelers players always assumed that Whisenhunt was the head coach in waiting. But Rooney passed over Whisenhunt for then Minnesota defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin." Am I wrong here?" -- Jason B.

After going back and checking the timeline of events, here's what history shows us:

-- January 14, 2007: Ken Whisenhunt is introduced as the Arizona Cardinals head coach.

-- January 18, 2007: Mike Tomlin has his second interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

-- January 22, 2007: Mike Tomlin is introduced as the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach.

Whisenhunt was given head coaching duties in Arizona before the Steelers even concluded their interviews, while Tomlin was hired over a week later.

So, why the desire to pump up a storyline that doesn't even exist? Both guys have done fantastic jobs and have overcome their own unique challenges of varying degrees of difficulty. Whisenhunt, for example, has taken the blackhole that is Arizona football and guided it to a Super Bowl berth in just his second year on the job.

Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, Tomlin has followed two living legends in Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher, while also conquering what was the most difficult schedule in NFL history (at the start of the season, anyway) and winning three games of attrition with the Baltimore Ravens to reach the Super Bowl.

I'm quite certain that neither team would trade its current coach for the other team's coach. Can't we just leave it at that?

NFC Championship Images

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell celebrates after the NFL NFC championship football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 32-25. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Matt York, AP

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on in the second quarter during the NFC championship game against the Arizona Cardinals on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donovan McNabb

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb fumbles as he is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defender Adrian Wilson in the third quarter in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. The ball was recovered by the Cardinals. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218948) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald reacts after catching a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during fourth quarter in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Blake (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219025) [Photo via Newscom]

Mike Blake, Reuters

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 18: Running back Edgerrin James #32 of the Arizona Cardinals uses a stiff arm to get by Quintin Demps #39 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter during the NFC championship game on January 18, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Edgerrin James;Quintin Demps

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles receiver Jason Avant (C) loses a second quarter pass on third down as Arizona Cardinals defenders Aaron Francisco (L), Ralph Brown (2nd-L) and Adrian Wilson (R) move in during the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218860) [Photo via Newscom]

Robert Galbraith, Reuters

Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson (L) gathers a fourth quarter touchdown pass as Arizona Cardinals defender Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (R) falls in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218997) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald reacts after his third touchdown reception in the second quarter of play as Philadelphia Eagles defender Sheldon Brown stands at right in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona January 18, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree218890) [Photo via Newscom]

Lucy Nicholson, Reuters

Arizona Cardinals cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie lies in the end zone after his team's win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL's NFC Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 18, 2009. The Cardinals will face the AFC champions in the Super Bowl in Tampa. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) (Newscom TagID: rtrlthree219073) [Photo via Newscom]

Robert Galbraith, Reuters