Reaction to Tuesday’s firing of Broncos coach Mike Shanahan:
“He was a remarkable leader of the Broncos organization in all capacities. I had no ink- ling of this. We went up there and watched one of their camps this summer. He was flat incredible to work for, professionally, in terms of how much you learned and the quality of the man. He’s a great competitor and as sharp as they come,”
Troy Calhoun, Air Force coach, once an assistant for Shanahan
“They’ve got the makings of pretty good young players on offense, but they haven’t really knocked the draft out on defense. I just don’t know how you’re going to get a guy who’ll do a better job than this guy has done. I personally thought this year was one of his better coaching jobs. I didn’t think they would be 8-8. I thought maybe they were a four- or five-win team with all those injuries and all the problems they had defensively.”
Gil Brandt, former Cowboys personnel chief, now an analyst for NFL.com
“I’m saddened by it. I sure like him. I guess you can’t do enough (in this business).”
Sonny Lubick, former Colorado State coach, who was an annual visitor to training camp
“Yeah, I did, too. Pat (Bowlen) and I were basically the same age. I really felt I would coach there as long as I wanted to.”
Dan Reeves, former Broncos coach, when asked if he felt Shanahan would be a “coach for life” in Denver
“Of all the guys I competed against, he was probably the most difficult one I’ve ever had to go against. He’s a terrific football coach and a really, really good guy. These things happen. I understand this time of year probably better than anybody.”
Marty Schottenheimer, former NFL coach, who faced Shanahan more than any other head coach
“As close as we were to the playoffs, there’s going to be high expectations, especially with how potent our offense was.”
Ryan Harris, Broncos right tackle
“He defied the odds. To be the Denver Broncos’ coach for 14 seasons is pretty unbelievable. To have 10 years is quite a run, and to do it longer than that, just goes to show what he has done.”
Bill Romanowski, former Broncos linebacker
