Whisenhunt withdraws from Raiders' coaching search

Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt on Thursday confirmed that he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the head-coaching job with Oakland.

Whisenhunt said he re-evaluated his future after meeting with Raiders' owner Al Davis on Wednesday and decided he wanted to stay with the Steelers.

"I went out there and had a really good visit with Mr. Davis," Whisenhunt said by telephone, "and everything was very positive. But after being at that rally (on Tuesday) with 250,000 people I felt like my heart was really here in Pittsburgh."

It is unclear if the Raiders offered Whisenhunt a job, but it doesn't appear as if it would have made a difference. Whisenhunt decided against pursuing the only head-coaching opening that is left.

That doesn't mean he won't get more opportunities. He will. Whisenhunt is expected to be among the hot head-coaching candidates after next season, and for good reason: He has a history of success with the Steelers and their offense.

Under his direction, Pittsburgh not only rediscovered its running game but rediscovered winning. The Steelers are 31-7 (including the playoffs) in his two years as offensive coordinator and ranked second in rushing in 2004 and fifth in 2005.

They ranked 31st in rushing in 2003, the year before he was promoted to offensive coordinator.

With Whisenhunt out of the picture, it is unclear where the Raiders turn next. The club has been without a head coach since firing Norv Turner shortly after finishing 4-12 finish in Turner's second year on the job.

Before Thursday, Whisenhunt, Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Fassel and former Raiders' coach Art Shell were believed to be the only remaining candidates for the job.

University of Louisville coach Bobby Petrino also pulled out of consideration Thursday. The school's assistant sports information director, Rocco Gasparro, said Petrino will stay at the Louisville. It is not known if the Raiders were still considering Petrino.

The Associated Press contributed to this story