They get an unfair rap IMO. I suppose because of recency bias and Whaley's infamous last PC (I didn't think it was THAT bad, I mean the dude was trying to not throw his owners under the bus and in an impossible position.)
People gripe Whaley didn't have a plan.. he did. Just didn't pan out. Built from a great defense by drafting his quarterback and going for win now by getting the best WR graded since AJ Green. Overpaid for Clay and basically gambled on having a capable offense on rookie contracts, while having his expensive and aging win now Defense in place. That was a plan. The offense didn't turn around enough to compensate for a defense that got wrexed.
He's gone now but talk about not having a plan.. look at Juaron and Chan's aimless teams.