The Scot was unveiled as the Latics' latest boss at a press conference on Monday following Roberto Martinez's departure to Everton.
"The intention is only one thing - to get back to the Premier League," Whelan told reporters.
"It might take two years, it might take three years, it might take longer, but he has my support."
Coyle has signed a one-year rolling contract with Wigan.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Wycombe WanderersWycombe | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 29 |
| 2 | Birmingham CityBirmingham | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 29 |
| 3 | Wrexham | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 25 |
| 4 | Barnsley | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 25 |
| 5 | Mansfield TownMansfield | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 20 | 14 | 6 | 24 |
| 6 | Lincoln CityLincoln | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 16 | 4 | 24 |
| 7 | Bolton WanderersBolton | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 19 | 3 | 23 |
| 8 | Huddersfield TownHuddersfield | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 22 |
| 9 | Reading | 13 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 22 |
| 10 | Stockport CountyStockport | 14 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 21 |
| 11 | Exeter CityExeter | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 19 |
| 12 | Charlton AthleticCharlton | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 19 |
| 13 | Peterborough UnitedPeterborough | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 25 | 26 | -1 | 18 |
| 14 | Rotherham UnitedRotherham | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 17 |
| 15 | Stevenage | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 17 |
| 16 | Blackpool | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 25 | -4 | 16 |
| 17 | Bristol Rovers | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 20 | -5 | 16 |
| 18 | Northampton TownNorthampton | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 15 |
| 19 | Wigan AthleticWigan | 13 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 14 |
| 20 | Leyton Orient | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 18 | -7 | 11 |
| 21 | Crawley TownCrawley | 14 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 25 | -13 | 11 |
| 22 | Cambridge UnitedCambridge | 12 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 17 | -6 | 10 |
| 23 | Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury | 14 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 13 | 25 | -12 | 8 |
| 24 | Burton Albion | 13 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 25 | -12 | 5 |
| > League One Full Table | |||||||||
