INDIANAPOLIS — As it turned out, Mike Shanahan had to get fired. It was the only way he could become an NFL fan again.
“It’s the first time I’ve actually had a chance to sit down on a Sunday afternoon and watch four games in the morning, four in the afternoon, one at night,” Shanahan said of his one-year hiatus after 35 consecutive years in coaching, 21 of which were with the Broncos. “I can see why people enjoy this game. You don’t realize as a coach because you’ve got other things going on. You’re getting ready for a game, you’re thinking about injuries, you’re thinking about the upcoming opponent.”
Shanahan was the Broncos’ coach for 14 years until he was fired 14 months ago by owner Pat Bowlen.
Speaking here Friday at the NFL scouting combine as the new Washington Redskins’ coach, Shanahan’s pride stepped forward as he looked back on his Broncos years, which included two Super Bowl titles.
“Even the last — or two years ago now — you look that we were an 8-8 team, but I felt I left the program in pretty good shape,” Shanahan said. “Some quality offensive players, a number of Pro Bowl players. I think they’re right on the verge of being an outstanding football team.”
Was that a veiled jab at the Broncos’ current regime of Bowlen-Joe Ellis-Josh McDaniels-Brian Xan- ders? The Broncos finished 8-8 again in 2009.
Shanahan was asked about the days following the murder of cornerback Darrent Williams on Jan. 1, 2007. Shanahan was the Broncos’ coach at the time, and the trial for Williams’ accused killer, Willie Clark, didn’t start until this week.
“I could talk about Darrent Williams forever,” Shanahan said, “but due process is taking its course. Regardless of what happened, nobody deserves to die. I’m just hoping we find out who did it and justice will prevail.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
