is out. Who will be the next coach to lead the Broncos? Led by general manager , Denver will be searching for its third coach in four years. This is a hot board of coaches that could be considered:
Confirmed candidates
Brian Flores
The Broncos have requested permission to interview Flores, 37, who is in his first year calling the Patriots’ defensive plays even though he does not have the coordinator title. Flores has worked for only the Patriots since entering the NFL in 2004, first as a scouting assistant, then pro scout, special teams assistant, offensive/special teams assistant, defensive assistant, safeties coach and linebackers coach.
Vic Fangio
The Broncos have requested to interview Fangio. Architect of one of the NFL’s best defenses in Chicago, Fangio is 60 years old and has extensive experience (in the NFL every year except one since 1986). Retained by coach Matt Nagy with the Bears, Fangio helped Chicago to an NFC North title this season. He has been a coordinator with Carolina, Indianapolis, Houston, San Francisco and Chicago. He has never been a head coach.
Mike Munchak
Munchak, 58, is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coach and the Broncos have requested to interview him. Following a Hall of Fame playing career, he started his coaching career as a quality control assistant in 1994 for the Oilers, rising to offensive line coach and, from 2011-13, head coach of the Titans, going 22-26.
Zac Taylor
The Broncos have requested an interview with Taylor, 35, currently the Los Angeles Rams’ quarterback coach. His NFL coaching experience consists of three years with Miami, including part of 2015 as the offensive coordinator and the last two years with the Rams.
Call to make sure he’s not interested
Lincoln Riley
The 35-year old Oklahoma coach, whose second season ended Saturday night with a loss to Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal game, is known for his dynamic play-calling and offensive designs (two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in as many years). He would likely sign on without final say on personnel but would be smart to include some power (like drafting a quarterback being his call and wide latitude in assembling a staff) within his contract.
The current coordinator class
Freddie Kitchens
If the Broncos want an offensive coach, Kitchens, 44, has seen his profile rise since assuming the ‘ play-calling role during the season. In the NFL since 2006, Kitchens has worked for offensive-minded head coaches Ken Whisenhunt and Bruce Arians in Arizona, has been credited with creating game plans to take advantage of rookie quarterback ‘s skill set
Kris Richard
It would be surprising if Elway went the direction of the younger (age 39) candidate with no head-coaching experience. Linked with Pete Carroll from USC in 2008 as a graduate assistant until last year with the Seahawks, Richard was fired by Carroll after three years as defensive coordinator. He re-surfaced with Dallas as secondary coach/passing game coordinator and the Cowboys won the NFC East.
They’ve been a head coach before
Mike McCarthy
Fired by Green Bay earlier this year with a 4-7-1 record, McCarthy will be sought after if he decides he wants to coach in 2019. In 13 years with the Packers, McCarthy posted a 125-77-2 regular-season record and a 10-8 postseason mark. The Packers made the playoffs nine times and won the in the 2010 season.
Jim Schwartz
Currently Philadelphia’s defensive coordinator, the 52-year old Schwartz started his NFL career as a personnel man for in Cleveland. He was Tennessee’s defensive coordinator for eight years (2001-08) before taking over the 0-16 Lions. He was 29-51 for the Lions, but did go 10-6 in 2011. Following his firing by the Lions, he was Buffalo’s defensive coordinator for one year and has been with the Eagles since 2016.
Ken Whisenhunt
Whisenhunt is in his second stint as the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator and has been a head coach twice. He led Arizona from 2007-12 (45-51 record), making the Super Bowl (lost to Pittsburgh) after the 2008 season. He lasted less than two years with Tennessee, going 3-20. He was a candidate for the Georgia Tech job but removed himself from consideration.
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