Education
He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Surgery degree in physical education from New Mexico State University and earned an Master of Arts
He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Surgery degree in physical education from New Mexico State University and earned an Master of Arts
In history from Pittsburg State University. Whisenant"s nickname is "Whiz". He started out as a basketball player at Connors State College and continued playing at New Mexico State University.
Whisenant began his coaching career at Coffeyville Community College where his record was 48–10 (83%).
Afterwards he joined the coaching staff at the University of New Mexico where he would accumulate a record of 137–62 (69%) including two Women's Army Corps championships. He later served as the vice president of basketball operations for the New Mexico Slam in the International Basketball League where his record was 51–35 (59%).
Later he coached his son"s team at the Amateur Athletic Union level, where he dominated with a record of 176–16 (92%). While serving as a consultant for the Sacramento Kings under the Maloof family, he became the assistant manager for the Sacramento Monarchs.
Whisenant became the general manager the following year, then took over as head coach in the middle of 2003.
He spent four seasons as the head coach at Arizona Western University where he won three league championships at 97–30 (76%). In 2005, he won the Women's National Basketball Association Coach of the Year Award and his Monarchs won the Women's National Basketball Association championship title over the Connecticut Sun - the first title for owners Joe and Gavin Maloof. In light of the wide variety of players he has coached in his career - men and women, amateurs, college players and professionals - many admire Whisenant for his ability to achieve a winning record at all levels.
