Ken Whisenhunt is available. Now the question is when and if he will be named the next Detroit Lions coach.

Whisenhunt, the San Diego Chargers’ offensive coordinator, saw his season come to the end in Sunday’s playoff loss, 24-17, to the Denver Broncos.

Whisenhunt, who has emerged as the favorite, is one of four candidates who have been interviewed by the Lions.

It's expected the Lions will make a move in the next day or two.

He served as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals (2007-2012) bringing that franchise to its first Super Bowl.

The 51-year-old coach is known for his work in developing quarterbacks including Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger.

While many had given up on the 32-year-old Philip Rivers in San Diego, with Whisenhunt’s help he threw for 4,478 yards and had 32 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions in the regular season when the Chargers went 9-7, winning their final four games. San Diego had the fifth-best offense in the NFL averaging 393.3 yards per game. (The Lions were sixth at 392.1)

The Chargers were down 17-0 at the start of the fourth quarter and were able to score a pair of touchdowns and a field goal to make it interesting.

Remember, the Lions have examined Whisenhunt’s body of work, not just Sunday’s game.

After his interview with the Lions on Thursday, Whisenhunt also talked to the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

Jim Schwartz was fired on Dec. 30.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)