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Published on 12/30/2008 at Tue Dec 30 15:32.
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Denver Broncos Fire Mike Shanahan

Posted Tue Dec 30th by

Mike Shanahan

Mike Shanahan is no longer the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos.

Owner Pat Bowlen announced that he has fired Shanahan, who also serves as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, effective immediately, after an 8-8 season and missing the playoffs for the third straight year.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen issued the following statement: “After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned.”

Bowlen added, “I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time. His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.”

Bowlen and Shanahan will both address the media at 11am tomorrow.

Wow. I’m floored. I thought, for certain, Shanahan had one year left at least. Huge, huge news.

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  • http://mrherculesrockefeller.blogspot.com hercules rockefeller

    Wow. A lot of over-reacting here. I don’t like the move either, but sheesh. Even Tom Landry got fired.

  • JRODZ

    Some of us will actual miss Mike and all he’s done for our team. I wish I could see the s-eating grin on Kerry’s face. It’s like his birthday & XMAS rolled into one today! I think it’s the “How to gloat” chapter out of his official Phillip Rivers handbook that makes him so endearing.

    That being said, any thoughts to the idea of Bill Parcels using his “Out” in Miami once Huizinga sells the team to turn this thing around? Maybe one of his 3-year projects? That’s all he’s god for anyway. Then hand it over to Kubiak once he’s out of his Houston contract. He could get his “Coaching itch” fixed and run the whole thing. He might be the one guy who can do it.

  • broncoNM

    I literally could not be more shocked. I thought shanny was guaranteed atleast 2 more years to get back to the promise land. It is never easy or exciting to see a clear hall of fame coach leave. I can hardly wrap my head around it. Since this is not a dream i say forget hiring any of those old school loser coaches i.e. wade phillips, marty shcott, cowher, etc…. If your gonna hire one of these guys might have as well never fired shanny then.
    I would be much more excited about rex ryan or jim schwartz. I have enjoyed watching these defensive squads and they are good. really good. Both guys will be head coaches soon and i see no reason why it shouldnt be with denver. Our offense will be fine (hopefully, who knows) but a solid defense would be a great welcome. It would be nice to have a defense that other teams fear. If i could hand pick anyone in the league it would be jeff fisher. I know this is not a possibility. I do have trust in pat bowlen but this is going to take awhile. I will always respect Mike shanahan. He was a great one and its sad to see him go.

  • coloradocoolaid

    A bittersweet day in Broncoville!

    I would have hoped for Shanny to go out with at least a trip to the playoffs and then retire on his terms.

    But now the damage has been done.

    I hope Bowlin digs out his mail-order “magicians kit” or has something up his sleeve..cause he’s gonna have to pull one heck of
    a rabbit out the hat to fill a legendary coaches shoes!

    Forget about hiring someone elses headaches..( as in available ex-NFL
    coaching hacks). Go to the college ranks and make Bob Stoops “an offer he can’t refuse” and while your at it bring his brother along as Def. Coord.!

    Good luck Shanny! Thanks for the memories both good and not so good. No one has more passion for the game than you Sir.

  • Broncoholic

    I pray that Shanahan doesn’t go to SD. Norv is the reason they are underperforming. If they give Shanny the keys he could take them over the top. Plus he would take it to us with a vengeance twice a year just like he did to the Raiders with us. This sets us back a year or 2 in our rebuild at the least. Time will tell if in the long run it was a good move, but if we suck it up for 2 more years and Cutler & Marshall decide to leave town we could be totally screwed by this move. I’m praying we have an Atl/Mia type turn-around next year..but I’m praying harder that Shanny doesn’t go to SD, or even KC for that matter. Prove your genius Shanny and go turn the Lions around, or any other NFC team, just please, please stay away from SoCal.

  • T-Money

    The News in Denver Hinted at John Elway…. Now there is an idea. lol…

  • Anthony33

    East,
    My understnading is Bowlen is cleared of the $20 million if (and when) Shanahan takes another job. I don’t see Shanhan sitting around and I do expect him to take most of this offensive staff with him.

    Like I said, I hope I am wrong…just have a gut feeling on this one. I have mixed emotions about the whole thing. Time will tell.

  • Anthony33

    East,
    BTW, I do agree with you that Pioli would be a GREAT choice. I don’t see what we could offer him that he dosen’t already have in New England. Is there something I am missing here? Does he want out?

    I hear all the ESPN’s of the world touting the Denver Broncos as the ‘dream’ NFL opening right now. I hope they’re right.

  • jchase8410

    I heard on SportsCenter that Mike Refused to fire his DC, and that’s why they fired him??? Anyone think that is what happened?

  • BC

    Could have been the DC that he stood behind but I think it is more likely that he would not give up any control. It would have been hard for him to take a back seat to the GM duties but he does do a lot better at HC.

  • http://firingofcoach cece

    I think it is a big mistake. WHO is going to fill this great mans shoes. I think Mr Bowlin should have thought this over some more. I know that deep down in my heart he would have improved with all thes youn players.

  • Done with Denver

    After 27 years of being a Broncos fan, I am done. This is just one more thing that Pat Bowlen has in common with Al Davis. I hate you Pat

  • jchase8410

    Nobody knows what Shanahan would have done with another year…it was time to stop the bleeding, and move forward. There was absolutely no defense for the last 3 years. You can’t win without defense, and you can’t field a defense with Shanahan In total control. None of us were behind the scenes of the front office. None of us know what was said between the two. EVerything we write is pure speculation. Maybe he refused to give up his GM duties, perhaps he wouldn’t fire Slowik…nobody knows. The fact is, good move or bad move, its been made and we need to move forward with the Broncos or find someone else to follow. I was a Broncos fan before Shanahan, and I will be a Bronco fan after Shanahan. With all do respect to a great head coach, a great competitor, and a poor GM. Good luck in the future sir, I’m sure you will be fine, and have another job by next week.

  • Paty

    Very dissappointed I hope Pat Bowlen knows what the hell he is doing.. I just can’t imajine the Broncos without him.
    Love to see Elway on the field

  • Paty

    Thank you Shannahan for alot of good memories..and please don’t go to SD, KC, or the Raiders

  • mikej

    Justice has been served finally. somewhere jake plummer is smiling. what goes around comes around. I love it that shanahan won’t get to coach his golden boy. I see alot people referring to the “shanahan haters” well now you know how all the jake fans feel. I’m glad they fired mike because what he did to jake plummer was inexcusable and him makin the switch when our broncos still had a chance to make the playoffs was a crime against bronco fans everywhere.

  • Nicole

    I am a Broncos fan, but I reside in Texas. I noticed that alot of your fans were talking about how much he needed to leave like Landry did. The odds that you will land a coach like Jimmy Johnson right from the word go and win 3 titles quickly are slim to none. We got lucky! unfortunately, you will have to transition and if you’re lucky and land the right coach (which doesn’t happen that often). I really don’t think that your owner thought this process through because it occured to quickly. He should’ve stepped back, taken more time and then approached Shanahan about the changes. It was simply too early with emotions running high. The Broncos problems could’ve been fixed and now with this firing, you have set yourself back at least 2-3 years. On another note, we all know that Jimmy Johnson was fired and our Cowboys haven’t been the same since because we still are trying to find the next GREAT COACH! I don’t think that you realized how GOOD you had it because your owner may have over-reacted. I sure hope he didn’t let him go based on emotions.

  • troyn

    mikej, did you actually watch plummer play? If we had a 3rd down longer than 3 yards we were in trouble as he was too inept to convert. He needed to be replaced and Cutler is absolutly the right guy, he converts long 3rd downs with regularity. You can fault shanahan for not getting the right defensive talent, but not for replacing Jake the mistake.

  • broncosmaddenchamp

    said to see mike go but happy to see Cowher Come!!!

  • flbronc

    anthony33- i heard it reported (espn i think), that pioli can leave his current position if he is granted final personnel authority. i believe he currently answers to the head coach on such decisions, similar to our situation with sundquist (who it may not be a bad idea to bring back, as someone already mentioned).

  • http://nfl.com AFC West Foe TO AFC West Foe

    Holy Crap! This is great news… The Chiefs are about to be in the market for a new coach. Mike will be a great addition to the team. SO i guess i should thank all the Shanahaters out there, Bowlen, and the whole Bronco org. The GOOD news is you WILL see him again..

  • Aaron Carson

    I’m blown away. Who are they going to find better than Shanny! He will be missed.

  • http://cougr@hotmail.com Ren

    Pat Bowlen says “I run the show”…he is just another egotistical owner worried all the money his family left him is dwindling. Without Shanahan, he wouldn’t even have trophies in his headquarter office. Bowlen wouldn’t be anything without the money HE did not make but rather someone else did and left it to him…and HE wouldn’t be anything without Shanahan. Just shows Shanahan’s character to remain “friends”…as they say, “With friends like that…” Shanahan is all class and he has made his name of his own merit not that of inheriting it from someone else…I think Shanahan should go to college football…the NFL is losing it’s magic…college football coaches are the real deal…if he stays in the NFL, I hope he and his new team beat the pants of the broncos anytime and everytime they meet on the field. Pat Bowlen is the loser here and he is a loser…what has he ever done of his own accord??? Little Rich Boy with an ego…Shanahan, I hope you come back stronger than when you left Oakland and leave Bowlen in the dust….I’ll be cheering for Shanahan over the Broncos ….Without John Elway and now without Shanahan…what’s left to hang around for??? Say goodnight Bowlen…Hope you get the Karma you deserve ..egomatic little rich boy….

  • mike from europe

    thanks for all – god bless you!
    i´m a broncos fan since i saw my first nfl-game ever broncos vs giants in the superbowl. i allways will love the broncos but a part of my love will leave with mike

  • Zach Zeurcher

    I wonder if John Elway is as pissed off as me

  • Zach Zeurcher

    I wonder id John Elway is as pissed as i am. Screw you pat, you don’t know shit about football

  • Zach Zeurcher

    I agree with done with denver. After all the years of being a denver fan, i think i’m done. Go to hell pat!!!! Go to hell!!!!

  • Zach Zeurcher

    i hope shanahan goes to detroit, and he makes them undefeated next year, and kickes denvers ass in a game!!!

  • Big Sky Country

    Thanks Mike. Unfortunately for Bronco fans, you will be sorely missed. Clev,KC,DAL, NYJ or some other team just got a helluva lot better. Hopefully, Pat comes to his senses and puts his tail between his legs and begs you to come back. Other than Cowher, there is no one out there that can compare. We have a pretty good young team with a potentially great QB. A few tweaks without the injuries, I think they would have been able to make a run at it next year. With a new coach and system, they will be lucky if they take 3rd place in the AFC West. Then again, Reeves could not win it all with Elway. Pat had enough sense to bring Mike in to put them over the top. We will have to wait and see. Regardless, I am sad to see a great era end. Love ya Mike.

  • Maggie

    I am absolutely disgusted with Pat for making this call at this time. If we had only five players injured and we got our asses kicked, then ok, maybe firing Mike might be an option. However, we had 24 players injured and Mike was trying to make something from nothing. At the very least, let Mike continue as the V.P. or general manager so that he could assist another coach in helping the Broncos succeed.

    If anything, I question Pat’s decision making and have to wonder how this will really help the Broncos become better and consistent players. If anything, he should be getting rid of well over half the defense and tighten up on some of those players on offense and make them earn their money.

    Mike is one hell of a coach who deserves more respect than anyone in sports. I’ll miss you Mike and I’ll cheer for any team you might coach in the future…as long as it’s not the Bolts. God I hate those guys!

  • Nicole

    Maggie,
    I really like your entry! I don’t think that Pat Bowlen understands how hard it is to find a really good coach that can deliver. Our owner Jerry Jones actually went on television in Dallas and admitted that he made a mistake in firing Jimmy Johnson. His ego got the best of him and now he is paying for it. Bowlen will join him in admission. He made a terrible mistake because the quality that’s out there isn’t that great.

  • Nicole

    Maggie,
    I really like your entry! I don’t think that Pat Bowlen understands how hard it is to find a really good coach that can deliver. Our owner Jerry Jones actually went on television in Dallas and admitted that he made a mistake in firing Jimmy Johnson. His ego got the best of him and now he is paying for it. Bowlen will join him in admission. He made a terrible mistake because the quality that’s out there isn’t that great. THAT’S WHY WADE PHILLIPS IS STILL IN DALLAS!

  • Nicole

    Sorry guys and gals but I accidently hit the button before I finished!

  • Linda

    I must be psychic or nuts, but I predicted this as soon as the Broncos starting losing this season. When I thought about it carefully, I could not remember any real successes without Elway. Then I thought of watching him on the side lines and frankly, I had to stop watching. I couldn’t stand the his body language. Then I thought of someone who thinks he can be both a good coach and general manager and deserves that much money and that much power not making it to the finals so consistently, and I just didn’t see him as a winner.

    Then I found out Cutler had diabetes and I wavered. I saw the season go to slush when he actually LOOKED confused on the field. That disease is not easy to control and energy levels are not consistent, no matter how many times they test his blood sugar. I was in the process of moderating of reconsidering my opinion when this happened.

    Honestly, I considered it and am not surprised. Ask my husband!

  • jchase8410

    Ren, Shanahan inherited a great team from Dan Reeves…and he won two superbowls. Then John Elway retired and the Denver Broncos haven’t done ANYTHING in 10 years. Any other coach in any other organization would have been fired before 10 years of mediocrity.
    Everyone is so shocked and so angry…think about the last 10 years… Seriously look into the past. How many years do we have to be disappointed in our team’s performance before you realize that his time has been up in Denver for a while now? He IS a great coach, and he will do great things with another team…but NOT in Denver. If he stayed we could only expect more of the same .500 football. That is not acceptable to us as fans. I’m sick of saying “next year is the year” every year. We’re starting to sound like Raiders fans. Sometimes things get stale, and it is time for a change…that time in Denver is right now!!

    Good luck Shanny, you’re a class act and a great coach. I wish you the best in your future endeavors!

  • Taunya

    Its time to give the Broncos a fresh coat of paint, Mike is and was a great coach but his defense has become an open book to read for everyone elses reading and kicking our ass enjoyment!.Change may bring good things to our beloved team… Though it sucked to lose… I still bleed orange and blue!

  • Taunya

    Nicole-one question for you…are you a Denver Fan or a Dallas fan?

    “I am a Broncos fan, but I reside in TEXAS. I noticed that alot of YOUR fans were talking about how much he needed to leave like Landry did. The odds that YOU will land a coach like Jimmy Johnson right from the word go and win 3 titles quickly are slim to none. WE got lucky! unfortunately, YOU will have to transition and if YOU’RE lucky and land the right coach (which doesn’t happen that often). I really don’t think that YOUR owner thought this process through”

    Honestly sounds like your a Dallas fan posting on BRONCO TALK. you youre your you and you some more….sorry you just dont sound like a PROUD & TRUE BRONCOS FAN to me…

  • Nicole

    Taunya,
    I am a fan of any organization that has won multiple titles and earned respect throughout the league. I just happen to reside in another state.I have already been down this road before when Jerry Jones fired Jimmy Johnson. He thought that he could just go out and buy another coach and everything would be fine, but it wasn’t. We haven’t found one yet because it isn’t that easy. The odds really are slim because that’s the nature of the business. We really did get lucky! Shanahan simply needed to scale back his duties and he could’ve focused more on the team. He carried alot of hats for a long period of time. I really don’t think that Mr. Bowlen thought this through because it really occured too quickly and it could’ve been resolved without him being fired. There are alot of coaches out there, but there are few pioneers. Unless he was going to land someone like Tony Dungy, the firing wasn’t needed. You’re team is in a rebuilding stage. If Jerry Jones could reverse that decision he would because he later admitted on television in Dallas that he had made a mistake. I believe that Mr. Bowlen has done the same thing. I do believe that Dallas and Denver will meet in 2009 and I hope that both teams rise to expectations. After all, there are 7 championships between the two organizations. Hope you find what you’re searching for in a head coach because Shanahan was great. Who knows, maybe he’ll be coaching the Cowboys. Good Luck!

  • A Towny

    Mike Shan is the best in the business. I’ve been a Bronco fan all of my life, I wouldn’t change teams EVER. But this feels like the heart and soul was ripped out of the Broncos – and it will be hard, if not impossible to replace him with someone better. I think Bowlen did not think this through and made an emotional decision based on ego. Most of the team was injured and our kicker SUCKED. Hopefully he won’t be back next year. I keep hoping this is a bad dream or a publicity stunt to get people to focus on something else, but it is to say the least a HUGE mistake, one that will take years to recover from! I think my Bronco fans stuff will be put away for awhile. If I could talk to Bowlen right now I would have 2 words to say! Dumb Ass. Coach Shan – we wish you the best of luck! You are class.

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