Ken Whisenhunt Takes Leave Before UFL Season Opener

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – March 24, 2025 – Memphis Showboats head coach Ken Whisenhunt has taken a leave of absence from the team just days before the start of the United Football League (UFL) season. The announcement was made on Monday, citing personal reasons for his departure.

Offensive line coach Jim Turner will step in as interim head coach during Whisenhunt’s absence. “The impact that Ken has made on the culture of the Memphis Showboats in his brief time as head coach has been impressive,” said UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Daryl Johnston in a joint statement. “We respect Ken’s decision to take a leave of absence for personal reasons at this time. We are fortunate to have Jim Turner in place to fill in as interim head coach and we are excited for his opportunity to lead the Showboats into the opening week of Season 2.”

Whisenhunt, who took over as head coach in September 2024, previously coached the Arizona Cardinals from 2007 to 2012, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance and two NFC West Division championships. He also held the head coach position with the Tennessee Titans from 2014 to 2015.

Turner, who has nearly 30 years of coaching experience at both the professional and collegiate levels, served as the offensive line coach for the Showboats for the past two seasons. He has also held coaching positions with various teams including the New Orleans Breakers and the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Showboats are set to kick off their 2025 UFL regular season on Sunday, March 30, against the Michigan Panthers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, with the game scheduled to be broadcast at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN.