John Elway has maintained a close relationship with the Broncos and is serving as a business consultant with the team. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Could there be a second John Elway Era in Denver?

Today, Broncos Chief Operating Officer Joe Ellis publicly stated what has been known for some time — that the franchise’s all-time greatest player has been serving as a consultant for the Broncos. Elway’s involvement has been predominantly on the business side, but recent developments suggest his role could quickly be expanding within the Broncos organization.

First, there was Elway’s address of the players during practice a few weeks ago, a move clearly outside his capacity as “business consultant.” Then, there was a groundswell of media support for Elway’s increased involvement within the franchise, potentially in a pro personnel/front office role.

This culminated Monday night, mere hours after the Broncos fired Josh McDaniels, when Elway was reportedly seen having dinner with owner Pat Bowlen.

“One of the things that (Broncos Owner) Pat (Bowlen) asked him to do was come back in the building and get involved with the team,” Ellis said during the team’s press conference Tuesday. “He’s been at practices and in the course of meetings we have on the business side, he’s shared thoughts about the team (and) he’s expressed an interest to some of you in the room. Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton rolls out against the St. Louis Rams during the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010, in Denver. (AP Photo/Chris Schneider)

Denver Broncos interim head coach Eric Studesville quickly ended the “Tim Tebow to start!” groundswell that followed the announcement of Josh McDaniels‘ firing yesterday.

Kyle Orton is still the starter, Studesville said. Orton will start for the Broncos Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, and the team will continue to evaluate Tebow (and every other position) as usual.

Studesville also said offensive coordinator Mike McCoy will take over playcalling duties. All other staff members, including QB coach Ben McDaniels, will remain in place and are “on board.”

Stay tuned for more thoughts and quotes from the press conference later today.

Denver Broncos COO Joe Ellis and interim head coach Eric Studesville will address the media at 11am MT today. The press conference will be streamed live at the team’s official site. We’ll be holding a live blog, chat-style, here to discuss everything said and everything related to the failed Josh McDaniels era and the Broncos head coaching search. Be sure to join us.

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun fires up his team in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Army in West Point, N.Y., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010. Air force defeated Army 42-22. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

Hours after Josh McDaniels was relieved of his duties as head coach of the Denver Broncos, the hottest name on the tip of every media member’s tongue to replace McDaniels was Air Force head coach and former Broncos assistant Troy Calhoun.

This morning, Calhoun took his name out of the running, Frank Schwab of the Colorado Springs Gazette reports. Calhoun will remain committed to the Air Force, he said in a statement.

Schwab suspects the announcement (from Calhoun, through the Air Force) was made in response to the Broncos’ reaching out to Calhoun. Calhoun isn’t interested.

This puts Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak (longtime Broncos player and coach) and Minnesota Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier (who received an interview during the team’s 2009 head coaching search) at the top of the Broncos’ suspected wish list.

Josh McDaniels released the following statement on Monday night:

“I am very grateful to Pat Bowlen and the Broncos’ organization for giving me the opportunity to be the Head Coach of such a proud franchise. I would like to thank all of the people who helped us over the last two years. I am especially appreciative of the efforts of every player, coach and member of the personnel department who worked so hard every day. I wish Pat Bowlen and the Broncos’ organization nothing but the best in the future.”

Less than two years after Pat Bowlen fired Mike Shanahan as head coach of the Denver Broncos, his wonderboy replacement Josh McDaniels was shown the door. With the rumor that the organization has researched whether or not it can fire McDaniels with cause over Spygate II, you can almost hear Mr. Bowlen saying “And don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out, kid.”

Josh McDaniels came from the Bill Belichick school of coaching. He wanted to do things his way, with his people, and he didn’t want any dissension in the ranks. The funny thing is, Mike Shanahan had the same philosophy. Except that players who were yesmen to the Shanahan philosophy were pretty seriously on the outs in the McDaniels philosophy. Jay Cutler, for example, earned himself a reputation as a whiner when he called out McDaniels for lying about the safety of his job. On one hand, every player is always on the trading block for the right price, no matter what the coach tells you. On the other hand, the first thing a new head coach has to do is build trust within the organization.
Click here to read the rest of this entry »

It’s official: Josh McDaniels has been fired as Denver Broncos head coach, the Broncos announced Monday, and running backs coach Eric Studesville has been elected as interim head coach for the remaining four games of the season.

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released the following statement Monday: Click here to read the rest of this entry »

Broncos running back coach Eric Studesville throws a pass to fullback Spencer Larsen (DenverBroncos.com)

Denver Broncos running back coach Eric Studesville, who joined the Broncos’ staff this offseason, will take over as interim head coach for the remaining four games of the season following the firing of Josh McDaniels Monday, the Broncos announced.

Studesville has been an assistant coach in the NFL for 14 seasons. Before joining the Broncos in 2010, Studesville spent the previous four seasons as running backs coach for the Buffalo Bills.

He has no head coach or coordinator experience.

All other assistant coaches, including quarterbacks coach Ben McDaniels, will retain their current positions on staff, the Broncos said.

Josh McDaniels has been fired as head coach of the Denver Broncos, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen confirmed Monday. McDaniels was fired both because of the team’s 3-9 record this season (11-17 in McDaniels’ tenure), as well as the knock on the team’s integrity the Spygate II video scandal stirred across the league.

The Broncos have just announced that  running back’s coach Eric Studesville is in as interim head coach.

Stay tuned, tonight will be very interesting.

Denver Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton (8) passes just before Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Shaun Smith (L) reaches him in the first half of their NFL football game in Kansas City, Missouri December 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Dave Kaup)

It was a close game through four quarters — a game in which the Denver Broncos defense and running back Knowshon Moreno showed signs of domination.

But after Knowshon Moreno‘s career-long 24-yard run in the fourth quarter, deep into Chiefs territory, head coach Josh McDaniels decided to throw the ball… and throw it the Broncos did, eight straight times.

Down seven, the baffling decision resulted in a field goal and two punts.

It also resulted in a Chiefs victory. Kansas City took out the Denver Broncos 10-6 in Week 13 NFL action at Arrowhead Stadium.

Moreno finished with 161 yards rushing on 23 carries. Kyle Orton, with more opportunities, finished 9 for 28 for 117 yards.

I’m honestly too upset to post anything more rational here. As I put on Twitter, I’ve never been this upset at a Broncos coach. You can blame Kyle Orton if you like, but in my book, every Broncos quarterback has always struggled at Arrowhead. It was asinine of McDaniels to keep giving a struggling Orton chances that late in the game with Moreno running so, so well.

Todd Haley hugged McDaniels after the game. He would.

Your well-reasoned reactions in the comments.