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Broncos Coaching Search Down To Seven

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Bookmark and Share Print This Send This January 08, 2009, 11:48 AM EST
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From Mike Klis of The Denver Post:

They are the Seven who would replace Shanahan.

Once Todd Bowles of the Miami Dolphins has his say today, the Broncos' search committee to replace coach Mike Shanahan will end its parade of candidates at seven.

If it's possible, Bob Stoops can coach the Bowl Championship Series title game tonight in peace. The Oklahoma coach was telling the truth this week when he said he's not a candidate for the Broncos' head coaching position. An NFL source with knowledge of the Broncos' search confirmed Wednesday night Stoops is not under consideration.

The Broncos' next head coach will come from one of the seven identified candidates, according to the source. The six who have been interviewed, in order of appearance before the Broncos' search committee, were New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Broncos offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who was at the team's Dove Valley headquarters Wednesday.

Bowles, the secondary/assistant head coach of the Dolphins, will conclude the interview process today.

The Broncos' new head coach will be encouraged to keep six assistant coaches left over from Shanahan's staff. According to two NFL sources, the Broncos have sent termination notices to the league office for all assistants except Dennison, Jeremy Bates (quarterbacks), Jedd Fisch (receivers), Bobby Turner (running backs), Bill Johnson (defensive line) and Rich Tuten (strength and conditioning).

The Broncos will honor the contracts of the other assistant coaches — which run through at least 2009 — but their future with the organization is at the discretion of the team's next head coach.

The committee searching for that head coach consists of Broncos owner Pat Bowlen, chief operating officer Joe Ellis and the football operations executive trio

The feeling among the committee as it adjourned Wednesday night was that four or five of the candidates will be an NFL head coach someday. The question is, which one does Bowlen pick to coach his team?

The search committee will spend the next two or three days thoroughly discussing each candidate. By Monday, the committee will bring back one to three finalists for a second interview or present an offer to the top choice.

Ellis, the Goodmans and Xanders will submit their choice, or choices, to Bowlen. The owner will then make his first head coaching hire since Jan. 31, 1995, when he lured Shanahan away from his job as offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.

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Andrew N.
Jan 08, 2009
12:16 PM

Based on Mr. Lombardi's report I have to believe McDaniels gets a second interview. I hope that Spagnuolo and maybe Morris also get a second interview.

Morris seems to really understand pass defense and the AFC West is becoming less about running.

I would like to hear who Mr. Lombardi thinks will earn a second interview.

Kevin H.
Jan 08, 2009
01:13 PM

Here's a different though process about a Broncos coaching change. I like the idea of a Spagnuolo or Rex Ryan as Broncos head coach, but I think either are a strech (as are many other defensive minded coaches). Why? You retool a defense to be an attacking-style kick you in the face defense, and pretty quickly you'll have to retool your offense (who competes against these guys every day) to become bigger, etc. Pretty soon a 'Bronco Style' offense isn't possible, because the defense kicks it around in practice and they gain no confidence. You end up with a Ravens or Giants power running attack.

I think what has happened in Denver over the past 10 years is exactly the opposite. The offense was the center of the team, and a 'thinking/reactive' style defense was a necessity. The Patriots have balanced this, and have been very successful. A thinking style offense, but a 'thinking/attacking' defense with enough athletes and character people to really get the job done.

Based on these thoughts, I think McDaniels or Morris have to be the front runners, with an edge to McDaniels because of his organizational experience with the Patriots. Both are too young for my preference, but if they can convince ownership they're stong leaders and can surround themselves with quality, they could succeed.

Drew T.
Jan 08, 2009
02:45 PM

Its impossible to predict what will happen here. If they were as sold on McDaniels as Schefter and Lombardi seem to think, I doubt they'd have brought five more guys in. They would have met the Rooney Rule with a token Morris interview and then pulled the triger on McDaniels. My guess is that Spanuolo has always been the guy they want and the rest has just been due diligence. The final decision between Spagnuolo and McDaniels probably comes down to the NY Jets. If they go Shottenhiemer, Spags is available without a bidding war. If they don't, Denver has to decide if economics level the field in favor of McDaniels. Is Spags a bidding war better than McDaniels?

As for all the growing romance surrounding Ryan, I'd be wary of any coach that publically toots his own horn like Ryan. A lot of people can stop anybody with Reed, Lewis, Suggs, Pryce, Negata, Scott, etal. He seems to be a chip off of the Buddy block, which isn't good any way you slice it. I'd be extremely disappointed with that choice.

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