If this was just about replacing Mike Shanahan the coach, the transfer of power would be a considerable, but relatively clean, undertaking.
But there is also the matter of replacing Shanahan as the head of the Broncos’ entire football operation.
Changing a head coach means changes to assistant coaches. Changing the coach and essentially the general manager puts everybody at Dove Valley on notice.
NFL sources said Broncos owner Pat Bowlen is leaning against giving complete authority of the football department to one man, as Shanahan enjoyed for the past 14 years. Bowlen’s preference is to hire a general manager, who would have the final say on how the roster is built, and a head coach.
This is how the San Diego Chargers operate with A.J. Smith serving as GM and Norv Turner as coach. The Chargers have beat out the Broncos the past three seasons for the AFC West Division title.
With Shanahan gone, the Broncos’ front office is currently headed by a three-man deputy team of Jim Goodman, Brian Xanders and Jeff Goodman. The trio shared responsibility building the roster — with Shanahan owning final say — after Bowlen dismissed general manager Ted Sundquist in March.
Joe Ellis, the Broncos’ chief operating officer, will assist in the hiring of a coach and GM. Don’t be surprised if Bowlen consults with former Broncos quarterback John Elway. Bowlen and Elway are partners in several business ventures, including the Colorado Crush of the suspended Arena League. Elway did not return phone calls Tuesday.
Bowlen will address Shanahan’s firing and future plans at a news conference today.
How it happened.
NFL sources said Bowlen first started thinking about making a change at the top about midseason as his Broncos were stumbling. It’s not clear whether Shanahan could have saved his job if the Broncos had defeated the Buffalo Bills and clinched the AFC West Division title two weeks ago in the season finale at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Bowlen told Shanahan on Tuesday afternoon that the Broncos, widely considered a crown jewel franchise in the NFL, had lost some of their allure while going 24-24 over the past three seasons.
While Shanahan was surprised, his son viewed it as an opportunity.
“It’s going to be weird because it was a long chapter for our family in Denver,” said Shanahan’s son, Kyle, who is the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. “But I’m happy it’s ended for him because he can move on, and I think it will be good for him. It will be different. It’s a long time. But I think he’s fine with it.”
The coaches.
Although the new head coach will have the right to pick most of his staff, Bowlen wants to retain some current assistant coaches, according to an NFL source.
It is unlikely defensive coordinator Bob Slowik will be retained. The Broncos surrendered a staggering 448 points this season, the secondmost in franchise history. Only the 1963 Broncos surrendered more.
“We haven’t been told anything,” said Scott O’Brien, the Broncos’ special-teams coordinator. “We’re all under contract. We’ll keep working. I’m sure they’ll get it figured out.”
Mike Klis, The Denver Post
