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Published on 11/30/2010 at Tue Nov 30 07:40.
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Through it all, Bowlen is sticking with McDaniels

Posted Tue Nov 30th by

Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels yells during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in Denver. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)

Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels yells during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in Denver. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)

There won’t be a coaching change for the Denver Broncos before the 2010 season concludes, and it’s possible Josh McDaniels will remain in command through next year, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen told reporters Monday.

“I am not interested in making a change,” Bowlen told Thomas George of AOL FanHouse in a shocking statement Monday night.

“I’m very happy with Josh. Josh is doing a good job. I wish he had a few more wins, but we’ve got five games to go. I’ve got 27 years in this business. The ball bounces funny and it doesn’t always bounce your way. We’ve had bad breaks, injuries. I’ve been around football long enough to know this happens and it’s a part of the game. We’ve still got a chance to make the playoffs. People have been in a position like ours and it’s been done before.”

Later on Monday, likely influenced by the fan uproar (“very happy”?! Really?), Bowlen made another statement to the Denver Post.

“This has been a very trying and disappointing season for all of us,” Bowlen said. “We haven’t had the success we had hoped to achieve. Josh McDaniels is the head coach of the Broncos, and you always strive for stability at that position. However, with five games left in the 2010 season, we will continue to monitor the progress of the team and evaluate what’s in the best interest of this franchise.”

Bowlen’s statement to FanHouse was surprising; McDaniels hasn’t produced the results to keep his job, and in the wake of his Spygate II controversy, his clout in the Broncos organization is at an all-time low. But Bowlen is right in that the Broncos aren’t completely out of it. They still have three division games left to play, and — let’s face it — any one of these AFC West teams, even San Diego, can slump at any time.

Our take? Bowlen needs McDaniels to finish 3-2 to keep his job.

Would that be a good enough finish for you to give McDaniels another chance?

Josh McDaniels Will Return in 2011, Broncos Owner Says [AOL FanHouse]
Broncos owner Bowlen to wait before determining McDaniels’ fate [Denver Post]

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  • robtink242

    i cried when i found this out… this is horrible.. lets be perfectly honest.. the only way the broncos make the playoffs is by the raiders, chiefs and chargers all go 1-4 respectively… doubt it!

    I hope McDaniels is getting the same treatment as Childress and Phillips.
    Whereby the owner claims to stick with them and then ditch them.

  • AtomicLeo

    As much as I despise McDaniels and I will throw a party when he's fired, the team has to give him another year. Teams that dump coaches after 2 years spiral into the depths of hell because there is no continuity. Want I want to see after 2010 is: Fire Xanders and Ellis, bring in a true GM with football experience and give that new GM a year to evaluate McDaniels and the team. If a coaching change is needed, then you have someone who understands the city, the locker room and an unbiased opinion about the state of the team's talent.

  • Guest

    I agree with AtomicLeo, bring in a GM maybe Elway? Force McDaniels to focus only on coaching. Give it a year like Cleveland has and go from there. Also for the love of Pete start Tebow so I have a reason to watch.

  • CKD128

    This is unbelievable. Is Pat Bowlen blind? McDaniels is destroying this team and this team's credibility!

  • lars94

    “Teams that dump coaches after 2 years spiral into the depths of hell because there is no continuity.”

    McDaniels has already taken us to the depths of hell. I am ashamed to be a Bronco fan after this latest Spygate scandal. His involvement once is reason to to be doubtful, but twice, after sitting on it for over a week, there is no doubt. He should have been fired along with his buddy. I agree with getting a GM and canning Ellis and cutting all ties with the Spygate scandal–clean house, then start over with a competent staff, as you suggested for continuity. If we keep McDaniels we will fall deeper in the depths of hell.

  • mikebirty

    i know the majority of people won't like this but its the right decision. firing a coach after a season and a half of disappointing results is only the answer if the question is, what would Al Davis do.

    plus this is the NFL, everyone sucks once in a while, its the way it works. the broncos will get a shot at a top 5, top 10 player this year in the draft.

  • BroncoMan24

    Come on man! There is no way that we will be worse than we are now. I gaurantee that if we get a new coach in here that at the least can balance out the offense, we will win at least 3 more games and at least be competitive in several others. People think that if we get a new coach we are expected to go to the SB the next yr. Yeah are roster isn't elite, but with any other decent coach, I think it is fair to say that we would of won 6 to 7 games this year.

  • Paully

    Hey Pat,

    I just got off of the phone with John Gruden. He said he's very interested.

  • BroncoMan24

    If there is one thing that I would says that McD knows, it is QBs. If he thinks Tebow isn't ready, I would be willing to believe he is not. I think if we started Tebow now, you would be disappointed.

  • Guest

    Wasn't Wade Phillips fired after only two seasons, and replaced by Mike Shannahan? If winning the Superbowl is spiralling into the depths of hell, count me in. Although, he had a little more to work with when he took over. I could see giving him another year if they were competitive and had a reasonable chance to win, but that's not the case here. Fire him and start rebuilding before it gets any worse.

    I'd like to see Bill Cohwer here. I believe he knows how to build and maintain a winning organization.

  • robtink242

    thank you… i would be highly upset with Mr. Bowlen if Gruden goes to another team. As much as i want Gruden to coach i do realize that we must also hire a true GM to watch this organization. Maybe someone from the Steelers, Patriots or Chargers to GM seeing that they are good talent evaluators.

  • herc_rock

    3-2 is going to be tough to get to. The only win I'm seeing left on the schedule is Az.

  • areferee

    Nothing more from the Patriots, thank you.

  • virginiabronco

    PLAYOFFS!!! DID YOU SAY PLAYOFFS!!!. Sorry about the all caps but Herm Edward's Coors lite commercial came to mind when I read your statement that we are not completely out of it. We can't beat the Rams at home or SF in London. We lost to the Raiders by a score I won't repeat. Did you happen to watch the SD Monday night game last week? I know you want to spark debate but please, PLAYOFFS. Maybe your question should have been, will we win another game this season.

    “I’m very happy with Josh. Josh is doing a good job.” Proof again that a person can become to rich to care and/or too ill to do the job. Yes, I understand the headlines involving contracts, paying three coaches, maybe no football next season. I am sure the details behind the headlines are more complicated than I can possibly understand but there must be a dozen ways to say he is sticking by his coach other than to say, “I’m very happy with Josh. Josh is doing a good job”. No one is happy with Josh including the league. Mr. Bowlen, now that your interview has surfaced, I think you were better served by staying out of the media as before and let others do the talking.

    Finally, I read this article by Adam Schein posted on FOX sports where he states “McDaniels deserves to be fired for sheer incompetence, for awful people skills that have caused talent to leave the building, for some of the worst personnel decisions in the past two years, for losing games at a rapid rate.”

    “This is about McDaniels single-handedly ruining one of the best franchises in the NFL.”

    I couldn't have said it better!

  • Kevindow

    you people are all impatient. Replacing McD with Gruden or Cohwer is redonkulous. It will mean another house cleaning with our personnel and coaches. So that would mean another rebuilding period, more money, more losses, more headache. I know this will be a very very unpopular statement, but I believe in the McDaniels system. Yes he needs help in his defense, but the offensive product he puts on the field is something that I feel will get better and better with time. I think the offense can be one of the most lethal in the NFL if given some time. And with some help from the defense, this team can be competitive for years to come. McD is far from perfect, but he is young and learning on the go. If we give up on him now, I feel it will come back to haunt us. Give him one more year, and if we are still a joke, then I will join all of you in the fire McD rants.

  • TheTroglodyte
  • virginiabronco

    Mike, I am convinced YOU are really Pat Bowlen using the name mikebirty in disguise. Have you noticed how the draft has worked for us so far? McD drove away all the offensive talent we he arrived. We needed defense but we draft QB's. I don't want to draft another QB this year. And I agree with lars94. Things really can't get any worse for this team.

  • virginiabronco

    “I think the offense can be one of the most lethal in the NFL if given some time.”

    Have you watched a game this year?

  • areferee

    How appropriate!

    The mixed message from Bowlen is just as confused as the rumors that persist about his health and the state of affairs within the locker room.

    If this was an attempt at placating the fan's temperament, it was an extremely feeble effort. When your ship of state has struck an iceberg, your efforts need to be involved in plugging the hole, not asking the Captain to have the band play another tune.

    Our McCaptain has been finding floating ice since he got here, and he continues to run into them with reckless abandon. When he misses one, he backs up and rear-ends it.

    It is time for a new Captain, a new navigator and perhaps an entirely new steamship company. We need leadership that has successfully charted these waters before without sinking or running aground.

    John Elway would be a welcome, and long overdue addition to our floundering vessel, but not as another band leader. We no longer need Public Relations, we need a person of substance with the REAL authority to make the necessary changes.

    For me personally, Ellis, Xanders and McDaniels have expended their capital and need to be relieved of their responsibilities. Whether that happens in December or January is of little consequence to the 2010 campaign. Believing we have a chance for the playoffs this year is tantamount to belief in the Tooth Fairy.

    Elway as an owner is, likewise, a pipe dream. He doesn't have 1.2 Billion and putting together a consortium could threaten the stability of a stable long-term Colorado franchise. Bowlen missed his chance with the Kroenke family.

    Sorry for the long rant, but it is going to BE a long ride, getting out of this mess…for ALL of us. It is time: “for all good men to come to the aid of their (Broncos) Country.

  • Darwin

    I am not happy with the state of the Broncos. With that being said I would give Coach McDaniels another year. However, we do need to at least look at a more veteran General Manager. Brian Xanders has done some solid things like sign Brian Dawkins, and draft some quality players. He also has appeared to be impetuous in his selections and trades. To balance the young age of McDaniels bring in more experienced front office. Let's stop ripping the hell out of McDaniels and give it a little more time. One more year should show what direction we are definitely heading in and allow Bowlen to make a sound decision regarding the coaching.

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    I've said before, as long as the players are behind him I will be. Right now it sure sounds like the players are still behind him

  • http://ehalseymiles.com E. Halsey Miles

    Yes, replacing McDaniels will mean another housecleaning.

    IMO, another housecleaning is necessary. The last housecleaning did not go…as planned. That much is obvious. The team is significantly worse than it ever was under Shanahan. Worse even than in 2000. You have to go back a long time to when it was this bad.

    The problem is that the team just looks incompetent. Inept. The Broncos have been the weak team on the schedule. Why? Because even though the team can be good, you can count on the team to screw up.

    The screw ups are not limited to individual players. They are spread out, systemic. That is coaching. We can solidly point and say “This is where the coaching is failing.”

    All that said, there's no point to firing McDaniels now. It won't gain the team anything. Let him finish out the season. I say give him the five games to right the ship.

    I don't even think the Broncos have to win.

    But the Broncos have to at least stop looking inept on the field. If they can do that, then McDaniels deserves another year.

    Personally, I don't think he can do it. Personally, I think McDaniels is young, arrogant, and came from the Belechick system where the head coach is a tyrant. And it works. But let's not forget, before Bill got to the Patriots, he had failed in Cleveland. He went 36-44 and managed a playoff appearance. And Bill had quite a bit more experience as an assistant before that.

    I suspect, in the future, McDaniels might be a good head coach. But from what I see, he lacks the experience (at least) to actually run the organization. He was promoted too quickly from an assistant role — and he only has ever been with one team unless you count a couple years at a college team.

    It's fine to have a young, inexperienced head coach, if you've got really great people around him. But the people around him are not top caliber people in the NFL.

    If we keep McDaniels in 2011, then it is imperative that the organization go out and get a top flight GM, and at least one top flight coordinator. Someone with some real experience, someone who can help tell McDaniels what he's doing wrong when he's doing it wrong. And someone who he'll listen to, because right now, one of his biggest weaknesses is that he doesn't seem to listen to anyone.

    Whatever happens, if McD stays or goes, there has to be a housecleaning at the end of the season. Whether or not McDaniels goes out with the trash is going to depend on the next five games.

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    Shanny took over with a team that was on the verge of greatness, our defense right now is far from greatness

  • http://broncoszone.blogspot.com/ Jon

    Well said!

  • Audi

    I just don't get it. I am completely baffled that people continue to post that McDaniels deserves another year. Based on what??? Trading Hillis for a 3rd string QB? Drafting Moreno that can't run to save his life instead of Orakapo when the world knew we need pass rushers? Trading our first round pick for a small DB that he later trades for a bad TE drafted in the 8th round. Yes he traded a 1st round pick for an 8th rounder….. That first round pick? Earl Thomas. Playing very well for Seattle. Drafting Thomas over Bryant. Does anyone still think that has worked out??? Yes a lot of teams passed on Bryant but only one of them was dumb enough to think Thomas was better than him. I won't even get into the disaster that I think Tebow will be.

    Now switch to coaches. Firing Nolan has worked out well. 59 by the Raiders hammered that home. Ditching our zone blocking for NE's scheme. Now that coupled with the crappy RB he drafted and we have zero running game. Toss in the hiring for Spy Gate 2 and this guy does not get it! Everyone used to say we had one of the premiere franchises. Top 5 for sure. Now, we are a joke. The joke started when McDaniels was hired. Yet people keep saying “give him another year, he is getting better” base on what???? A solid passing game? really? Being down by 20 and teams dropping into prevent D does not mean we have a good passing game. IT MEANS WE WERE DOWN BY 20.

    Get rid of this clown now! Do whatever it takes to return this franchise to the top where it belongs. I don't need a superbowl every year, but I need to contend and be a model organization. I don't need to be the Raiders of the early 2000's.

  • lars94

    AMEN AMEN AMEN, very well put.

  • Confucious

    Confusious say; when in quicksand, do not thrash around.

    We are in quicksand, making drastic moves might make us worse…oh yes things could be MUCH worse…..

  • vince_mairne

    Well said!

  • vince_mairne

    McD didn't drive away offensive talent, he drove away crybaby players who never put the team first! Cutler throws more INT's than anyone in the NFL; to me that isn't talent. The only reason his team has a decent record is because of the defense and running game. I've said it once and I will say it again, this team lacks a proven on the field leader, someone to follow!

  • vince_mairne

    Amen Mike!

  • Ic_bronco7

    The Defnece has always been the problem..shanahan had an offence that could socer for days.. but mcdumbass has done nothing about it.. in the 2 draft he had he went for tebow and alot of offence of players he already had and got rid off.. insted of getting a good d limen

  • Ic_bronco7

    Tebow isnt ready and he will never be.. he is a FB trying to play QB..he probabbly would be starting if he switch over to FB

  • vince_mairne

    I'm on board with you! In addition to your argument I'd like to add the fact that our offensive line is starting two rookies, in the middle no less. That is tough for any offense to overcome. They haven't been half bad but with time the will be 10 times better. This is where I believe we are losing the games…in the trenches.

    As for the D, how many are new players for us? We've been through so many coordinators it's no wonder we can get it right. I thought John Lynch brought up a good point during the game. He said that we've been trying to find players to fit the system of each coordinator. Since we've been through so many we have a mix match of players, therefore the defense is in disarray. Who would know that better than someone who played for the Broncos during this whole thing.

  • Dont sound like a Chiefs fan

    Well said

  • coskibum

    Yes very well put Audi. The only thing I could add is that I would like to see us lose out. Why? Because we will get a better draft pick. The only problem is if we still have Manny, Moe and Jack (Ellis,X,McNugget) running the show it will not matter at all.

    I say we clean house and prepare for the future now!

  • areferee

    Confucius also said: “He who does nothing while mired in quicksand will get a mouth full of grit”.

    No one is advocating “thrashing around”, just an orderly transition to leadership that knows what the hell they are doing.

  • AKfan

    Good points. Bowlen is giving the dreaded vote of confidence. This is as meaningful as saying Shanahan is coach for life. I am guessing that McD needs to show steady improvement over these last few games to save his job. Bowlen is not going to like two straight 1/2 full stadiums to finish the season. Merry xmas and happy new year Pat, enjoy those 20k fans in the seat. Hopefully the improvement comes but if not…

  • AgentOrange

    You may be right about Cutler, but neither Peyton Hillis nor Mike Nolan are what I would consider a crybaby. In addition McD was deceptive about shopping Cutler around. Both parties behaved poorly in that dust up. McD acts he's Belichick but he doesn't have the horespower to get away with it.

  • Tryonm70

    Orton on record pace!!! It could be lethal. If offensive line picked it up

  • BroncoMan24

    And you might be right on that. I wasn't really saying that he would be. I am just saying that if there is one thing that McD knows about it would be QBs. And if he thinks that he isn't ready, I think that he is probably right.

  • BroncoMan24

    Yeah. It is all nice to have a top 5 pick, but it doesn't matter who we pick up if you have a head coach that doesn't know what he is doing. Yeah maybe over the summer (assuming he is still here) a light will turn on for McD, but until he learns how to play call and run an offense correctly, you are going to have the same results on offense. A lot of people had faith in the we came back last week, but all I saw was a bunch of yardage being made during garbage time. STL left off of us and we took advantage of it. He has to learn that we cannot pass all the time and win in this league. If he can learn that then maybe so. Now the defense is a whole different beast. Until we get a better front 4 we are going to continue to have a horrible defense. I would love to see McD change his ways and finally figure it out, but until he doesn't, I believe he is not the coach for us. Sure give him another year if you want, but I don't believe it will make a difference. Here is to hoping everything works out.

  • Gators1

    I'm a Univ of Fla guy and hoping to become a Brocs fan. Losing is painful – especially from such a strong storied program. Although offense does not seem to be the main problem strong leadership and a winning attitude must be infused into this organization. It seems everyone has made up their mind on how Tebow will or will not work out, why not not let him play out the year? I can't guarantee wins – I can guarantee 100% effort, strong leadership, and a winning attitude that may lifts some heads and get things back on track for 2011. Please forgive my bias – this guys makes things happen!

  • Smichaels_music

    C'mon everybody, let's just keep it simple: McDaniels is an arrogant punk! He doesn't belong here and we need to kick his butt out asap. By the way, losing Peyton Hillis was probably our biggest loss. He was great when he was here, but hardly got any recognition. The Broncos have been destroyed, and the reason is just way too obvious. We've had weak coaches with little experience before (Phillips), but never, ever has anyone done this much damage to our team!!! I was born in Denver in 1955 and I've been a fan all of my life. I have an uncle who played for the team in the 60's (Bob Scarpitto). We've been down before, but never this down, and never, ever this dirty!

  • anthony33

    Agree on the top 5-10 pick. And agree with atomicleo that Xanders has to go.

    It's Bowlen choice to bring McD back and I respect that when the popular and emotional thing to do would be to fire him.

    I still think he will grow into the HC role, but the GM and personnel decisions need to be made be a proven competent GM. It is an entirely different skill set that McD does not have and Xanders is a buffoon.

  • anthony33

    I think you mean Jim Mora…

  • areferee

    Am I dyslexic or wasn't your name “vince_marine” previously?

  • mikebirty

    I'm not Pat Bowlen, I'm Josh McDaniels. I'm so convinced I'm right about everything that I have to go on the internet and argue with people ;)

  • Vince_marine

    It's not you….I just can't type…lol!

  • MeOMy

    I have no doubts that McDaniels is a very talened coach. I also think h will be a superbowl winning coach some day. I also think he is young, arrogant, and doesn't have enough experience to be a head coach.

    No head coach she be calling the offensive plays on the field. Especially a first time head coach. If he want to do that he should go get an offensive cordinator position for some other team. He isn't surrounded by anyone with top level experience. Even if he was he probably wouldn't listen to them.

    Despite all this McD ISN'T going to be fired during or after this season. Only way he will be fired is if the collective bargining agreement is signed before the superbowl. Why would Denver pay 3 coaches in a season which might not even get played. And if next season doesn't get played McD will be in Denver for at least the begining of the 2012 season.

  • http://ehalseymiles.com E. Halsey Miles

    Nolan was not fired, he quit. He asked to leave and they let him leave.

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