Denver Broncos Fire Mike Shanahan

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.”

ok this changes everything!!!! WOW
I’m actually excited!!

all due respect of course BTW

All the Shanahaters got what they wanted now lets see who can do a better job. I’m disappointed to say the LEAST.

Wow I am in disbelief….. I hope this pushes us in the right direction, but man oh man, who is out there that is a better coach?

Here’s to hoping its Bill Cowher…He definitely was putting himself out there by continually calling the Broncos “The most dangerous team in the AFC”

Cower’s a HACK! Keep lookin

yeah you got to make a huge push for Cower.

I think this needed to be done and I’m surprised Bowlen would actually do this. Changes need to be made.

… This might be sacrigligious but we need: Jimmy Johnson, Bill Cowher, Marty Schotheimer, or Bill Parcels!

so NOT happy

WOW,is all I can say!!! I hope we get Cowher or this move will be a big mistake!!! All you Shanahan haters got your wish I just hope it dosen’t backfire on us!!!!!! PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN TO HIRE COWHER!!!!!

Now I’ll NEVER be invited to dinner @ Mike Shanahan’s!!!!

Marty! Marty! Marty! Marty!

Does Bowlen have a miracle shoved up his ass?

Bring back Kubiak! Similar system, more fire in the belly!

Let’s also hope Shanahan dosen’t get hired by someone else in our divsion like KC.

wow – I’m speechless.

Slowick for Head Coach?

Slowik for Head Coach???? He was the one who should have been fired!!!! Are you high????

Bring in Bill Cowher as Head Coach, and Steve Spagnola as DC, let Jeremy Bates be OC

just wrong. it makes me sick.

I don’t get all that Cowher love. I mean great coach and all, but pretty much the exact opposite of the type of offense we have been running. Same applies for Marty Schott.

Great. Another transition year, and just when the offense was looking like it had amazing potential. I hope whomever takes over realizes what they’ve got.

I like that idea Bobby but I don’t think the Giants would let Spagnola go!

Cowher brings defense!!!! And that is what we need!!!!!

Cowher!! I hope they keep Bates as OC. Spagnola would be great as DC.

i think bates gets the head coach,because bates is like a younger shanny

I think Bowlen looked at the schedule next year and said “F- it!” We will re-build next year and push it in ’10.

so now we have a Probowl (and future Superbowl) quarterback, a Probowl (and future Superbowl) receiver in Marshall, great up and coming players…and now we are going to get a coach who won’t know how to guide these players…I predict 2009 to be 6-10, third in the AFC West

I know some people are happy about this. I am not sure what i thnk. I am stunned! I guess, for now, I would join in the push for Cowher.

unbelievable…but maybe necessary?!?….I don’t know…….I’m very sad….Oh my goodness!

Man I just can’t believe this!!!!! We needed a change but I don’t think this is the right move at all!!! If anybody should have been fired it should have been Slowik!! Granted it would be yet another D-coordinator but he just wasn’t doing the job!!!!

Where is Kerry, he must be celebrating too hard.

Three years, $20 million left on the contract is what they’re saying…

This a total disaster. There is not a single person out there that can do a better job coaching the Broncos. Cowher isnt the answer, our players dont fit his schemes on offense or defense. How excited are you to interview Mangini, Marinelli, Nolan or Crenell for a head coach? Anyone want to join in on the ‘hire the next big thing from the coordinator ranks’? Or were all of you hoping for pulling the college big shot? They’re usually successful….

I’d much rather have a couple of down or rebuilding years, than a coaching merry-go-round.

I think people lost their patience and called for the head of one of the best coaches around. Before Cowher won a SB he was only conf champ once(1995), and in between he went 7-9, 6-10 & 9-7 from 1998-2001 by the Shannahaters logic, he should have been fired just like Shanny after that stretch of missing the playoffs, right? Of course not, he won a SB later….

Firing him does nothing, my basic point is change for the sake of change is stupid. There is nobody better out there. Cowher is the most proven option out there, and statistically he is almost identical to Shanny’s record in Denver. Shanny .616 reg season winning % (14 yrs) to Cowher’s .623 (15 yars). Shanny has the playoff edge .615 to .571. Shanny 2 SB Champs and 2 Conf Champs vs Cowher 1 SB 2 conf. Shanny 2 losing seasons Cowher 3. It’s a lateral move.

If you want the Broncos to become a better team fast, replace the defense. Not the head coach. We now have to get new players in to fit whatever scheme. The new coach will ‘ask for time’… Everybody who thinks it’s a quick fix after firing the coach you are sadly mistaking. Hope you give the next guy a shot, and dont call for his head after a couple more years of missing the playoffs.

WTF This is a sad day for the broncos…. I hate this team right now…. I hope he goes to the Raiders and kicks the crap out of us…. Im so Pissed!!!!!!! This is unbelievable !!!

Saved this for a totally different post.

Everybody should be thankful for the years that Shanny gave us. He did one hell of a job and provided us with many great memories, and built two tremendous SB teams. If he chooses to retire, I wish him well. If not, I’ll root for his team (provided that it’s not in our division), just like I root for the Texans and Kubiak.

Thanks Coach!

the ONLY silver lining is that a new head coach will probably replace slowik. but that’s about it. shanahan was in a lot of ways the face of the broncos franchise for me.

Bowlen is a f****g idiot.

Shocked. Wow. If not Shan then I think Cowher as well. I remember him always sticking up for us on the CBS NFL Today. Offense is so talented that they will succeed under anyone but the D in the Charger game was an absolute embarrassment and we have to do something. Concerned for sure. Shocked

Four words: Head Coach Rod Smith…

Let’s just hope Shanahan goes to the Lions so he won’t be in our conference!!!!!

This is the probably one of the worst things that could have happened. Think about the relationships that have been formed.

Jay Cutler
Brandon Marshall
Eddie Royal
Tony Sheff

This is truly the dumbest move that could have been made!

I agree with bobby add on some1 else as GM like Scott Pioli or even Bill Parcells

There were other alternatives. Firing him was not the way to go

Cowher wont take the Job because we can’t afford anybody. We still have to pay Shanahan 20 million

Thank you Bowlen!

He must have learned from his mistake with Reeves, another great coach that lost the team. Instead of twisting in the wind next season with a killer schedule he pulled the plug this year. Allows the new guy a year where expectations will be low and a year to bring in ‘his’ guys.

I love Shanny. We would not won the 2 SBs without him. BUT the facts can not be denied…..

(1) Horrible drafting from 1999-2004. Killed us when injuries occurred.
(2) Jettisoned several DC, made many FA signings and yet the D was never anything more than middle of the road for the past 10 years.
(3) For the last 3 seasons the Broncos wilted in the stretch, lost heart, wasn’t focused, etc…. That is a failure of leadership.

WTF?! They fired the wrong F’in guy. Slowick was trash and should have been the one that was canned. There is no one out there that can fill Shannys shoes. Say goodbye to next season.

This is the same guy that gave the Hall of Fame speech to intoduce Gary Zimmerman and he was drunk on his ass. Complete disgrace to the organization and the fans who have been behind this team since the 60″s. Was he drinking again?????

nah nah nah nah nah, nah nah nah nah nah. hey hey hey GOODBYE!!!!! yes!! its about time!! way to FINALLY grow a pair Bowlen!!! now go get Jim Schwartz from the Titans!!! and Scott Pioli as the GM!!! this is a great day!! the king is dead, long live his successor!!!!!

Mr. Bowlen,
Let’s hire as head coach the real winner of the ’97 & ’98 Super Bowls. JOHN ELWAY!!!

Kerry you’re an idot. Who are they going to bring in?

Adam Schefter of NFL.com on Cowher: “Cowher’s refusal to take the Jets job, or any other, has nothing to do with the front office structure in New York or anywhere else. It has everything to do with Cowher’s desire to coach again. Quite frankly, it’s not there right now.

He will not coach this season and — attention NFL owners who might be making coaching changes in 2009 — there’s every chance he will not coach next season, as well.

He is enjoying his new scaled-back, family-driven, TV-working life where he can take more piano lessons than he imagined. He doesn’t have to put in the hours he did coaching the Steelers. He always reserves the right to change his mind, but he’s not changing it now.

Cowher’s not coming back. Not for the 2009 season. Put that in headlines.”

Wow, I’m shocked but I think Shannahan had become too predictable. If we ran one more bubble screen I was going to slit my throat. There are a lot of good coaches and I think more than anything we just needed a change in scenery. The message got old and now a new philosophy can push this talented team to the next level. We can get a GM that knows talent and doesn’t select a George Foster with the 20th pick in the draft when you could have gotten him in the third. Mike thought he was smatter than everybody else but he hasn’t proven it sense he had Elway and TD.

IM SURE BOWLEN ALREADY HAS SOMEONE IN MIND BEFORE THEY MADE THIS DECISION

Jim Schwartz is to expensive. Scott Pioli will go head coach not GM

KEEP IN MIND THAT WE DON’T HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON ANYONE!

TERRINBLE DECISION!!!! THIS GUY BUILT OUR OFFENSE FROM THE GROUND UP! TERRIBLE!! IT WAS SLOWIK THAT NEEDED TO GO NOT SHANNAHAN. I GUARANTEE YOU WE REGRET THIS IN THE COMING YEARS! IT WILL COME BACK TO BITE US, YOU JUST WAIT…

Can anybody say 2-14

When you are pinned down by the enemy and not knowing what to do, are you scared stiff and let everything get overrun or do you take a brave step forward and try to defend . Well, right now our ” defense” needs to win the battle. Mike is one of the greatest of coaches in the NFL . Yes ,it is a scary move .Football is basically a business of entertainment . The Broncos were almost predictable in the last game against San Diego . Do we get someone and hope their enthusiasm and new ideas bring on something better for the broncos or does the Bronco organization keep on showing the same movies. How much worse can it get for the team next year when we play almost all of the big boys . The best is even with a perfect draft is 8 and 8 . I t will take a new coach at least one year to get things going. If we play a team that Mike coaches it is only one game and not the end of the world if he wins . Denver will always love Mike no matter where he ends up . My point is that it was regretable but possibly a needed move since the team has been very predictable in their plays.

I knew Bowlen would have a reaction, but that was swift. I’ve been in Shanahan’s camp for a long time, so I’m sad to see him go. But, last offseason, he fired anyone who could take the blame, and he fully accepted responsibility for the team. So, when a head must roll, it’s his.

Think Mike Holmgren would be interested?

Interesting. I am a bit numb as we are now entering uncharted territory. But excited as well. One thing that was glaringly obvious was the lack of heart and desire in the team. I cant help but think of one person who can let everyone know why they are there and that is Bill Parcells. Just a thought. Make that mean old man GM. As for coach? Not sure, but certainly someone younger, who has a fire to win, someone with creativity. Kubiak would make an interesting hire, thats for sure.

I believe Bowlen made a huge blunder firing Shanahan. Bowlen needs to spend less time listening to the local newspaper columnists.

To those who think Kubiak is a candidate to replace Shanahan, why would Kubiak leave a coaching job in his home town with a team that arguably has more talent than the Broncos?

Bad move. You have to give him one more year with this O.

Bowlen needs to go hard after Josh McDaniels. Screw Spagnuola. You need an offensive guy when you’re stacked on that side of the ball.

Bill Cowher or Kubiak for HC keep Bates and Bobby Turner fire everyone else shit can the defense and start from scratch on that side of the ball.

Jay Cutler, B-Marsh, Royal With Cheese, Tony Scheff, Jamie Windborn, Champ Bailey…now with running backs. Ryan Torain, Peyton Hillis, Tatum Bell (sucks *cough*), Andre Hall, Micheal Pittman…hello, the talent is there, now, 2009 will bring yet another *transition* year….way to let our supurb talent go to waste. After that we lose Marshall….Jay Cutler needs to be unleashed, not laid to waste in multiple transition years….I think this was a bad idea

Reading some of these comments, let me just say this:

You can’t hire a guy for a lateral position who is already under contract with another team, unless you’re giving up compensation (draft picks and cash usually). It would take a ton of both to get Kubiak.

Spagnuola will have his choice of head coaching jobs this offseason, he sure as hell isn’t going to make a lateral move across the country to be our D coordinator.

I agree with you 1000% Herc. McDaniels is the guy I’m thinking. Getting Pioli wouldn’t be a bad idea, too (a little New England in Denver).

Worst three days ever?

Close, Kyle.

Bad frickin’ times, man.

I wonder if Bowlen felt that a stronger-willed defensive coordinator was needed, but Shanahan’s style only had room for one strong-willed personality (himself). As you might have noticed, Slowik is the quiet type. The offense will be good for at least a few years as long as they can stay focused. Promoting Dennison or Bates to the head coaching position would allow for offensive consistency while also allowing a stronger defensive coordinator to come in and kick some butt. Of the “proven” current or former defensive coordinators out there that aren’t going to be head coaches soon (Spagnuolo, Schwartz, Mangini), Mike Nolan appears to be the best candidate. My hesitation is that he had some chemistry problems in San Fransisco. I would love to land one of the others that I named, but I don’t think that they’ll accept anything short of head coach.

Given the past three drafts (two good ones), we may need to promote one of the internal guys to GM.

Shannahan is not owed any money once he accepts another job.

Good point about Kubiak Herc. A successful transition though does start with a strong GM, to handle the rebuilding of the D. I do think there is a bit of a question mark @ RB (but I do love Hillis).

Just please don’t bring in Jimmy Johnson (the slimeball) or Marty (dude can’t win the big one)! I would think Mr. Bowen would already have someone in mind but you never know. We probably can’t afford much and I would not be surprised to see a college coach (Urban Meyer?). Makes you think about Shanny’s playoff guarantee. He probably knew he was out if they did not make it.

This is a bad move,period! I could understand making Mike share the football operations duties and get help in aquiring defensive help, but to can him after he has gotten the offense on track. just stupid.
And the last profile I want to see on Sundays in Denver is Cowher’s. Get real,, people

Gary is staying in Huston. No question.

I think I just died a little inside

This sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!! P/O right now!!!!!!!!!!!

Urban Meyer? Intriguing!

Is Red Miller still alive?

@Kyle Thanks for the Adam Schefter article. He’s ONE reporter who gets the story right, so we can probably stop the Cowher rumors now.

The big question is: where will Mike go? Regardless of how we’ve performed, another NFL team just got a gift.

When was the last time anyone has seen Shanahan have that wild eyed pissed off look during a game ? I do not remember seeing it for a while , more of a tranquil look lately.

I can’t believe it! What is pat Bowlen thinking? Mike was the heart and soul of our team that also fielded its youngest team in years. What with all the injuries to the rb’s, lb’s, db’s we were lucky to get to 8-8. I was looking forward next year with this young team, but with a new coach, who knows? If I was Mike I would go to KC when they fire Herm Edwards.

T-money:

thats the best you got?? “im an idiot, who would i bring in”?? come on man. you just cant stand the fact that i was right and you and the other shanny lemmings were wrong.

but ill humor you.

Jim Schwartz, Rob Ryan, Steve Spagnolo are just a few. but a DEFENSIVE minded coach is needed. and Scott Pioli isnt gonna be a head coach. dont be retarded. he is a GM. Scott Pioli would be perfect at GM and Jim Schwartz would be excellent. hopefull Dennison is kept to run the west coast offense and the zone blocking scheme. other then that a defensive minded coach is needed!!

Bowlen had a plan when he fired Dan Reeves, but ended up settling for Wade Phillips.

damn! thank you shanahan for all the years youve been here. couldnt be sadder to see you leave.

here’s my dream coaching lineup next year:

head coach: Bill Cowher
off coordinator: Jeremy Bates
def coordinator: Romeo Crennel

very upset to see shanahan go. i barely remember the broncos without shanahan. going forward i think a defensive oriented coach like cowher or spagnuolo would be great for denver. i also think we should look to add a stud back like larry johnson (cause he wants out of KC) or derrick ward… and we should definitely go all out for haynesworth in free agency to shore up the d-line.

im with kerry on this one, we needed a change. I was sick and tired of shanny’s lackadazical approach and revolving door on DC’s.

when shanny goes to a new team lets see if he really is a genius of a head coach and build a team from the ground up or just field above average offenses and mediocre, undersized defenses.

everyone needs to stop saying that they should have fired slowik, because when it comes down to it shanny was making all those decisions anyway, i say good riddance and if he is successful, well, more power to him.

I agree. Defensive minded is the best way to go. But don’t forget the talent we have on this offense either. We need the right person to guide them as well.

I think Cowher would be perfect but it seems he doesn’t want to come back. So who?

Just throwing this out there. Mike Smith? Not your household name but a good candidate.

Kyle Shanahan?? :)

This raises about a million questions:

Will the Broncos keep the zone blocking running scheme?

What lies ahead for the boatload of assistant coaches? They just gave Jeremy Bates a raise so he wouldn’t flee to the college ranks; will the new head man stay?

What player(s) will be the big surprise exit? Champ Bailey? Brandon Marshall? D.J. Williams? Hell, it’s a new coach, no one is safe. Jay Cutler?

What about the front office? We did a “GM-by-committee” approach this year, I wonder what happens to them?

Still floored, still waiting for someone to pinch me.

It’ll be interesting to see how this affects Jeremy Bates since he just signed an extension..
Hopefully he sticks around to give continuity to the offense while bringing in a Defensive minded head coach, and maybe a new attitude to that side of the ball.
Im shocked!

I would not be surprised to see any of those names absent from next seasons roster, Kyle. Not Cutler, but Bailey and Williams I could see. My gut tells me Bailey will never be the same.

Credit goes to Bowlen. This had to be difficult and it shows that he wants to win. That’s an owner I believe in. Landry, Seifert, Walsh, Cowher, they all move on, and the teams will thrive later. Better now and move on.

losing bmarsh would suck more than shan getting fired

Some of you aren’t old enough to remember what it was like prior to the Shanahan Broncos. Well guess what, we are right back there again! Yes the eam did shoot themself in the foot several times, ok most every week this season…. But by firing Mike, we just shot ourselves in the Head.

you gotta give it up to kerry, i have been hatin on him all year, but here is the one time i will give you props dude. live it up. hope we don’t go Cower, he went out on top, but it took him a hell of a long time to get there… i like kerrys first recomendation, sounds good to me. heres hoping for an Atlanta/Miami/Baltimore affect from this change.

im gonna say i think i agree with kerry.. as much as i appreciate what shanny did while he was here, maybe a change of scenery will be good for all. Coaches get burnt out, as do players become complacent in a system or situation. We need someone to light a fire under that god awful horrible defense, and shanny hasnt done that.
Best of luck to shanny moving forward, hopefully we’re doing the right thing here

i think the zone blocking run scheme will most likely go…shanahan was the mastermind behind that. given that, we need to get a top tier rb to pick up the slack of a new running game. i have a lot of faith in cutler and his potential.. but he’ll never get there if there’s no run game.

A sad day for Bronco fans. Mike has been ,and still is a great coach. I would have liked to seen the defense completely dismantled, and Mike at least another year to work with a defense that plays with heart.

Those of us who have been Bronco fans for years know about the heart we have been use to seeing in a proud franchise that has thrived on good “D”. Remembe the Orange Crush?

Good “D” wins games. Good “D” wins championships.

Guess we can only look forward at this point. I wish Mike the best, jbut ust hope he does not coach in the AFC West.

Bring on Kubiak, and even wonder if anyone has thought about JOHN ELWAY.

Wow. I feel like I just lost a member of the family. For those of us who rely on this team for entertainment and count down the days to the start of the next training camp, this is a shocker.

Thanks Mike. Despite the personal vendetta that the haters have against him, he made the Broncos the premier sports franchise in this town by bringing us the two Super Bowls. I waited for 25 years to see a Lombardi trophy hoisted in Denver, and between him and #7, they gave us two. I wish him only the best.

Kyle, you’ve treated this matter with class, and that’s why broncotalk.net is my main Broncos’ site.

Tomorrow and in the coming weeks, I’ll speculate about the future. For now, I’m reminiscing about the past with a heavy heart. The days of Elway, Rod, TD and the glory years are now officially over.

kyle i had the same thought about the blocking scheme when i was running out to grab some dinner. our line is young, and very good and under contract for a while. it will be a shame to have to scrap that unit.

Wow…Cowher, what a fit. Chance to really move in and make a difference right away. Here he has a good to great young and athletic quarterback. Jets…he has a has been. Good offensive too;s to be tuned. A defense that needs work but that is his strong point.

Please…please…please say that Marty is not in contension…Maybe to clean up after the horse but that is all. He has never had a good idea and always looses the big one.

Cowher or Holmgren! Come on, we have serious opportunity here. Shanny picked the players and fired the d-coordinators, those were his decisions. I love Shanny, I am grateful for him, but it is time. Go Broncos!

Well, I guess this ends the fire Shanahan conversation pretty succinctly.

I personally hate to see Shanahan go but I can’t fault the logic. This was a bad, bad season. Was it 4 or 5 blowouts? And some pretty ignominious records set. Still, I think he deserved one more year.

It’s going to be weird to see the Broncos coached by someone else.

The zone blocking scheme has been becoming ‘in vogue’ in the league for awhile. I can’t imagine any new coach dismissing it. Our O-line is fantastic, that’s something you don’t mess with.

If you are going to fire someone, you need to have a better replacement ready to go. IMHO there isn’t anyone out there better than Shanny. Bowlen made a rash, possibly drunken decision. Bowlen was once a good owner, but if you look at him in the early days with the fur coat and trophy wife, he was never a good character guy, and now I am really questioning his intelligence along with that of anyone else who actually thinks there is a better x’s and o’s guy than shanahan. I was all for firing Reeves as no one crippled and held back #7 than he did, we could easily end up with that type of coach again who will handcuff cutler the same way.

omg i just thought about something. what about rod smith as our head coach?

Denver makes sense for Cowher
-from John Clayton

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=3800871

—- interesting read.. although i think jon clayton is a bit of a d-bag

oh, and if for some reason Marty is really the choice, I would have a really hard time rooting for the team I have since ’76.

we just hired matt millen as our GM, thank god!

Top 3 in offense in the NFL . . . almost the worst on defense . . . let the new coach/GM fix what’s broken . . . we beat the Jet’s and Falcon’s and teams we should have lost to . . . and lost to all the teams we should have beaten . . . the change was needed . . . and even with a brutal schedule next year . . . . don’t be surprised if a Denver Bronco team with a newly invented defense doesn’t shock the football world . . . a new coach/GM might demand a rebuilding month rather than a rebuilding year . . . the Miami Dolphins did it . . . why can’t we? . . . . keep the cup half full and don’t lose faith!

everybody listen. a GM needs to be hired first. Scott Pioli is that guy. the Browns want him but Denver is a better fit. we already have the franchise QB, LT,RT, WR and TE. the offense is set. we need defense. thats where Pioli as GM would come in. and im saying the O-coordinator in dennison needs to be retained. he can coach the zone blocking sceme as well as the west coast offense. the D-coordinator needs to be Romeo Crennel, Mike Nolan or Eric Mangini. have Jim Schwartz or Steve Spagnolo as the head coach. maybe Bill Cowher. he knows how to build a complete team.

who coached the crush? he should be available for next year. lots of passing, no defense to speak of….. Arena League!

matt millen is the GM

i was kidding about matt millen

To many of us, he’ll always be a Bronco.
Thank you, coach.

Good. I was about to go cry.

First off… Yeah, Kyle/Herc… BAD three days. Not as bad as D-will, but really, really bad…

Second… Are there any Head Coaches you could imagine in Denver besides Kub? I mean, that guy is happy in Texas and Kyle is too young. Could we steal Jeff Fisher from TN? Would they consider Gruden from TB? What other Head Coaches are out there that we might have a shot at landing.

Lastly, chances are… Bowlen HAS the guy already. You don’t drop Shanahan without SOMEONE in mind.

Kerry, I hope you meant Rex Ryan from Baltimore, not his worthless ass brother Rob Ryan in Oakland.

It’s now just a money/waiting game. If Shany says he’s done with football which i wouldn’t be surprised if he was, then we owe he 20 million. If he takes a job somewhere (most likely NY Jets) then we will have the option to throw a hefty wallet at someone.

I personally don’t see Cowher or Kub. Jeff Fisher is a long shot WITH money. Gruden is not a bad thought, but again still a long shot.

I bet we go after an assistant coach. But after todays events… I think it’s fair to say that anything can happen.

Grahamslam89:

yes i meant Rex Ryan. the D-coordinator from Baltimore. i get the two mixed up. they are brothers after all. but definetly Rex Ryan. i prefer Jim Schwartz as the upcoming head coach though.

kerry, you’re talking about the broncos landing every big name open in coaching… would be nice, but not likely

I also wont be surprised if we went inside our own franchise to get someone

we are not going to get a guy who currently has a job- herc brought up why earlier. so lets stop dreaming for Kub, Fisher, Gruden etc… we cant afford to pay them, plus draft picks, plus cash to the other team- it’s not realistic.

Pat Bowlen is not a moron. If he fired Mike Shanahan he has a plan. What Denver NEEDS is Scott Pioli.

Gary Kubiak? You have got to be kidding me…

Scott Pioli is the messiah of the NFL if we are lucky enough to get him he will bring nothing but change. 4-3 to 3-4 wich means scrapping the whole entire defense with the exception of Marcus Thomas, Williams, Bailey, Bly, and Barrett.

Thomas will finally be able to play like the true player his is at 3-4. Players like OLB Terrell Suggs and DT Chris Canty will be able to be signed to fit the system. Pioli may bring in McDaniels or Crennel who both have proved to be amazing coordinators.

However, Bowlen may pursue Spagnuolo which wouldn’t be a bad prospect. Spagnuolo is a defensive mastermind who has crafted the Giant’s defense to the powerhouse they are today. All of you should remember that Strayhan retired and Osi was placed on IR at the beginning of the year and look how they’re doing now.

This is obviously a controverisal move. In my opinion it needs to be done. Things were not working (i.e. 24-24 over the past 3 seasons). I understand everyone loves Shanahan but change is needed.

TGH210:

if you noticed Jim Schwartz isnt being courted at all by any teams. Steve Spagnolo is being courted by the Jets only. but now that Shanahan is available, the Jets will go after him. im betting on Steve Spagnolo though.

Anyone hear the schlereth interview about hiring a quality GM, like the guy who built the Tenessee Titans team, and let him pick a head coach that will fit his philosophy? I thought it was very insightful.
I love Shanahan and I know he is a fantastic coach, but every player, or coach in the NFL has a shelf life. Sometimes pi just need to move on to a place better suiting to you. Chad Pennington left a mediocre team for a horrible team, and won the division. The same can be said with a lot of coaches. 10 years ago, Shanahan’s offense was innovative and new, now it is predictable. Gus win percentage is among the best the NFL Haas to offer, but over the last 3 years…24-24. It is time for a fresh face and a new philosophy in Denver…how many “just one more year” seasons do we have to endure before something has to change? Denver fans need to stop living in the past and move forward as an organization.
Thank you Kerry for your well spoken rants that helped get me past ’98 and realize that this team hasn’t done anything substantial in 10 years.
Nation, it is all about accountability. Mike Shanahan made promises he could not follow through with. His team came out week after week mentally unprepared to play winning football. He has “lost a step” so to speak in getting his guys to prepare themselves for NFL games. The Denver Broncos have become complacent, and there is only one person left to be held accountable…Mike Shanahan.

I agree with you East when I know the name of the Head Coach. As of right now I can’t say i do.

East:

im with you. steve Spagnolo will be the guy. id like Jim Schwartz but Spagnolo would be key. now if Pioli is brought in (which i hope) that doesnt mean the 3-4 defense will be adopted. Spagnolo runs the 4-3. the GM doesnt say what defense is brought in. he just evaluates and drafts the players.

Jchase8410:

i do what i can. lol

Halsey- you hit it on the head. It is going to be beyond strange to see someone else on those sidelines besides Shanahan.

I’m anxious to see Pat Bowlen stumble through the press conference tomorrow morning. That guy has to be the worst public speaker in history. I’m hoping that he’s got a plan in mind. Otherwise, he’s just gotten caught up in the latest NFL trend of firing and hiring. Good luck new coach- you’ve got big shoes to fill.

But Kerry you have to consider the fact that Shanahan could call it a career. That would make everyone of those guys way to expensive. Consider the fact that he was family that he has to consider packing up and moving.

We need to understand that the big issue was not Mike the coach but Mike the Exec VP of Football Operations. His fate was sealed when he took over that position. There is nobody else to blame when you have all the positions. We have to think that Bolen offered to leave him in the coaching position but to take away the GM position. Mike could not do that and save face.

We also have to expect that Bolen had somebody in mind for the GM position and that he would have known that Mike would not accept the offer. He did not get where he is by shooting from the hip with no plan.

The personel on the defensive side are a major issue. A new coach has to be willing to be the coach, influence the GM position but be primarily the coach.

We also need to look at the conditioning program. The easy training camp and conditioning lead to excessive injuries…what have we seen this year?

kerry, it’s only 2 days after the regular season ended…quite a few teams looking for coaches so the competition there will definitely pick up. i’d be happy to land just one of the names you listed. agree 100% on spagnuolo, he’s my top pick

Yea, Shanahan’s been in Denver for 20 years and he’s in his 50s. It’s a good time to collect his money, kick back and retire. Though he can probably have pretty much any head coaching job in the league if he wants it.

I am horrified…this is not the answer….he is a legend

TGH210:

true the competition is on. but what team offers so much in way of a ready to compete team?? the offense is already there. Cutler, Marshall, Clady, Harris, Scheff, the entire offensive line and Royal. the offense is set. the potential coach will step back and say “i build a defense and this team is a serious contender” therefore i think we have the lead on any potential coach out there. especially a guy like Spagnolo.

Loved Shanny, but it is time. He never once, in a press conf., would admit that the defense sucks. I know as a leader you have to be positive, but seriously!!This defense needs a complete makeover, and Shanny is just too offensive minded.

i think the only way i’ll be optimistic about next year as a transition team is if we get spagnuolo as head coach, maybe land derrick ward as well while we’re shoppin in the meadowlands, pay whatever it takes to get albert haynesworth, and get some help at safety thru a taylor mays in the draft. yes, a lot to ask for but xmas wasn’t too kind this year so im hoping there’s more to come…haha

I only hope that Pat Bowlen isn’t the next coming of Al Davis….Bad day……

I am speechless!!!! The reason for being a bronco fan was the Great Coach Mike Shanahan. After the greatest QB to ever play Retire people have to realize that some franchise never recover or ever find another Great ONE. Lets look at the Facts. The Pittsburg Steelers it took then almost 25-30 years to find Rothlisburger and win one superbowl. Dallas cowboys after Aikmen sill havent won a super bowl or even a playoff game for that matter. The only franchise that has done it is the SF 49ers were the great coach mike shanahan came from……….i am deeply sadly…..Look at the broncos over the last ten years made playoff went to Conference champsionship game with i mean no disrespect Jake Plummer. Shanahan was about to do this again in one more year just one more year. Bowlen was influcened by all these rookie head coaches that was it lets see these coach be there in 4 years. Mistake!!!!

Now MR. JAY CUTLER………..Wow……that all i can say………….no…………Matter a fact…………. Jay Cutler is a punk!!!! Show some class and learn how to be respectful!!!! “Mr. i have a stronger arm them John Elway” if you you were half the winner Elway was you would have made the 2008 playoffs. Cutler if you reads this i hope you know your to blame. You havent won anything ever!!!!!!!! Vanderbuit loser. Broncos maybe .500….. wait loser. Mike Shanahan made the game so much easier for the young cutler. ………wow!!!

Lets take a look at the coach of this decade Bill Belichick…the defence mastermind!! The DENVER BRONCOS WHO I LOVE TO DEATH were the ONLY TEAM IN THE NFL>>>NFL>>that had a wining record against genius belichick. what do they do fire shanahan.

Going back to Cutler it was only his 2nd year starting i know….But he got my coach Shanahan fired…

And all you shanahan haters shut up. .,. The winning ways…..the superbowl or bust………over!!! Shanahan had his mistake but i guartee u it would had come next year.. He never had a great defence (shanahan) but was going to fix all that…Needed a ray lewis OR hayneworth and a number 12 pick with this years draft..come on….Now everything has to change the line was built for the zone blocking scheme… Cutler well thats a spread offence. Hope we can keep the young J Bates!!!!!!!!

See look what Hiemerdinger did with the denver playbook in TEN. Number 1 seed..two back system..good defence that was there…collins at QB not cutler…

I will follow mr shanahan to what ever team he goes too….I have all ways..ALL WAYS been a one team fella in 23 years ive been alive but now i will have to change like Mr Obama said.

Thank you Coach SHANAHAN for all the winning ways. With your departure a little bit of the love for the broncos died with me……should have retire a broncos coach not fired.

Don’t compare Pat Bowlen to Al Davis man… it’s not even close.

Kerry: It will be hard to get Pioli but I hope Bowlen pulls out all the stops and tries his hardest go land him. The only problem with getting Spagnuolo is that he isn’t a GM and now that Shanahan is gone we need to fill that position.

Also I’m pretty sure that Bowlen is aiming for a GM because if he wasn’t Slowik would be fired too. Bowlen will hand over the keys over to the GM and tell him to do whatever he wants.

WhidbeyBronco { 12.30.08 at Tue Dec 30 19:19 })

ok, processing….
Terrible coaching this year.
Terrible delegation of responsibility.
Draft? Look at our young talent!!
Hope? Tons!
Now?
Scared.
Still hopeful.
Who wouldn’t want this job??!!
Cowher? Sign him NOW. He never coached for a guy who’d spend money like Bowlen!!
Shanny? Thanks SO MUCH for the years of success!
I remember the losing years and the lost superbowls!
Thank you Shanny!

…ok cowher’s out? Marty? Sign him. It’s HARD to win in this league. Only Elway (or his own team) can beat Marty!!

God please send Shanny to the NFC

I am so upset to see that Shanny got the boot. The guy is the face of broncos football and after all he has done for this organization the broncos front office should be ashamed of themselves. He will get another job and haunt us like he has the raiders. If anyone deserved to get fired it was the defensive coordinator. We let teams score on us at will.

that being said i think Cower is overrated and i don’t like any of the options being thrown around for this team. What the broncos should do is give brian billeck, and mike holmgren a call. Billeck is a passionate coach, and holmgren is a great coach. Offer holmgren the same job shanny had he might just consider it.

But all in all denver will regret this decision and all i can say is its a sad day in broncos history.

Wow broncobro4… you really don’t understand the hole that Denver is in.

Last year we had the #12 pick and here we are at 8-8. In 2007 we have traded up for the #17 pick and selected Jarvis Moss. In the offseason we picked up Niko, D-Rob, and Boss… all of them proved to be useless.

Ray Lewis is OLD and Haynesworth is a punk. History has shown that ALL DT have monster contract years then sit on their fat asses after they sign a huge contract.

That winning record against Bellicheck really matters when he has 3 Super Bowls during that time and we have none.

Joe Gibbs was a great coach in his day, look at what he did at the end of his coaching career… nothing.

A team is about coaches not players so don’t go ripping on Cutler because he is the anchor of the team. It would be great if Cutler didn’t have to throw 50+ times a game and he had a defense that could force a punt.

Seriously if that is your reason for losing your love for the Broncos then by all means throw it all away.

JChase
“Shanahan’s offense has become too predictable” yeah…like in the top 10 every ficken year. Great, we hire Spagnolo and go back to a 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense like we had with Reeves.

Did you see Cutler’s comments??? He will be out of here after next year when his contract is up.

I do agree that MS has been horrid in trying to fix the defense. Bad schemes. bad hires and bad personnel decisions and yes, he is responsible. Just wish they could have worked something out or he would just let go of his ego and coach. Was excited to see what this offense could have been next year with a couple of solid and healthy running backs. They could have averaged 40 a game.

I’ll wait and see who Bowlen comes up with before I completely lose all faith in this organization. I have a gut feeling this was more about money than anything…I hope I’m wrong.

Florio @ profootballtalk.com is reporting a ‘highly placed league executive’ thinks Shanahan is staging this so he can end up in SAN DIEGO. Thoughts?

Pull Schottenheimer out of retirement. If nothing else, he will be motivated to beat the Chargers.

Well….ok then. I was hoping Bowlen would only take his power and leave him with only the HC position. Here goes though. I would not be surprised to see Sundquist back in Denver. From what I understand he still has a good relationship with Bowlen, so I would not be surprised. Rex Ryan or Dick LeBeau (Steelers) may be a good fit, but Wade Phillips proves that not all good coordinators make good coaches. Other options could be Jim Johnson, and Steve Spagnoulo.

I don’t blog very often, but I hope Mike can somehow see this. I have been a fan since 1966. I can remember coaches like Lou Sabon and others. Mike you have brought a lot of pride to being a bronco fan. For the first time in 14 years, I’m sad to be one. I believe that you take the good with the bad and unfortanatly owners( PAT BOWLEN) only understand bottom dollars, not dedication. When the broncs see you across the field,and we will, I will be one your side for you have shown what true dedication is. Thank you..

[...] weight of two Super Bowl victors against the decline in the last few years. And in that case the facts can not be [...]

Bowlen What were you thinking…. you need to get rid of your Medical crew not the head coach…… You tell me how three Doctors can miss having a quaterback that is a diabetic? Plus the trainers need to condition our players on the off season and during the season if they were doing that right we would not have had the injuiries like we did.. Also how about telling your team to work as a team and not individuals… Tell the multi million dollars babies to shut up and play football that is what they are out there to do and maybe cover the other player closer than 10 yards (Bailey).. Maybe if they would have listened to the coach he would still be the coach… So Mr Bowlen crawl back into your luxury box at MILE HIGH (refuse to call it Invesco just another way to line Bowlens pockets) and cover up in your fur coat and take a look at what you had and what you will have now?

Amen East

Anthony33… if it’s all about money then why is he willing to eat 20 million dollars on Shanahan’s contract? Hopefully the Broncos wil reel in Pioli and things will change.

Shanahan has gone 24-24 in the last 3 seasons. How is that acceptable as Denver fans? Everyone is quick bring up problems that are beyond Shanahan’s control such as the running back problem and injuries on defense. Well if he would stop filling in any dude with legs in at the RB spot then maybe Denver would be a lot better off. Defensive injuries were players like Nate Webster and Boss Bailey… who freaking cares? Both of those players are failures.

Line Bowlen’s pockets? Are you serious? How many years has he shown him nothing but unconditional support? They called Shanahan “Coach Kevlar.” I love Shanny and all the things he’s done but its time for change. Shanahan couldn’t give up any power and thats why he’s gone.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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..

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

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….

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

I wonder if John Elway is as pissed off as me

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

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!!!!

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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!

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…

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!

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.