Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 12/30/2008 at Tue Dec 30 15:32.
Tagged: ,,.



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.

←  Older Comments
Newer Comments  →
  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    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.

  • troyn

    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.

  • http://broncomadness.com Garrett Barnes

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

  • AKscott

    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

  • troyn

    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.

  • MIAbronco

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

  • Tom9798

    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!

  • kerry

    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.

  • flbronc

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

  • T-Money

    matt millen is the GM

  • MIAbronco

    i was kidding about matt millen

  • Zap

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

  • T-Money

    Good. I was about to go cry.

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    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.

  • GrahamSlam89

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

  • T-Money

    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.

  • kerry

    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.

  • tgh210

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

  • T-Money

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

  • flbronc

    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.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net East

    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.

  • kerry

    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.

  • jchase8410

    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.

  • T-Money

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

  • kerry

    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.

  • kerry

    Jchase8410:

    i do what i can. lol

  • Dakota fan

    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.

  • T-Money

    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.

  • BC

    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?

  • tgh210

    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

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    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.

  • Sharon Mitchell

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

  • kerry

    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.

  • Bunk

    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.

  • tgh210

    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

  • pwsbronco

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

  • broncobro4

    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.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net East

    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

    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

  • Rich

    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.

  • http://BroncoTalk.net East

    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.

  • Anthony33

    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.

  • Patrick

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

  • http://bolttalk.com/ ColdComfort

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

  • Roy

    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.

  • Eric

    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..

  • Pingback: Sports247365’s Blog()

  • Broncos Sweetie

    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?

  • Bucky

    Amen East

  • http://BroncoTalk.net 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.

←  Older Comments
Newer Comments  →