The Broncos have interviewed Scott O’Brien and Pete Rodriguez for their open special teams job.
There were indications O’Brien was the leading candidate. However, Rodriguez, a veteran special teams coach, talked to coach Mike Shanahan on Friday.
O’Brien is known to have a fiery and demanding personality. The Broncos are looking to upgrade their special teams, after the return and coverage units struggled much of the 2006 season. Current special teams coach Ronnie Bradford is expected to remain on the Denver staff if he chooses.
So far, new coaches for the Broncos are assistant head coach/defense Jim Bates, defensive line coach Bill Johnson and linebackers coach Joe Baker. Bates and Johnson have been officially announced by the team, while Baker has not. Bates replaces Larry Coyer, Johnson replaces Andre Patterson and Baker will replace Kirk Doll.
The team also will make changes on the offensive side of the ball, with Steve Watson and Pat McPherson changing roles and Jeremy Bates being promoted to a position coach.
Footnotes
Doll may have opportunities with the Houston Texans and the University of Alabama. He coached with Saban, now Alabama’s head coach, at LSU. … Center Rob Hunt, who was on the Broncos’ practice squad last season, signed with Kansas City.
