Barring the team needing to move to second-tier candidates, it does not appear the Broncos’ new ownership contingent wants to put a first-timer in charge. The team continues to be connected to experienced candidates, Albert Breer of SI.com notes.
Denver tried rookie HCs Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio and Nathaniel Hackett since 2017; the team has finished under .500 in each campaign. The Broncos entered Joseph’s debut without having finished with back-to-back losing seasons since the early 1970s. The team’s new ownership has some big names on its docket to attempt a turnaround.
Jim Harbaugh and Sean Payton are indeed atop the Broncos’ wish list, according to 9News’ Mike Klis. The popular duo may receive more than one offer, and this disastrous season has dinged Denver’s stock. The team has been connected to each throughout this process, and it is moving forward with plans to interview Harbaugh. The Panthers have already spoken with the Michigan HC, however, and the Colts have been linked to a run at bringing the former QB back to Indianapolis. Pursuits of Harbaugh and Payton will be competitive, and both are likely to be choosey.
Should the Rob Walton-fronted ownership group not land its home run hire, Klis adds Dan Quinn should probably be considered next on the team’s list. Quinn has a longstanding relationship with GM George Paton, dating back to when the two worked with the Dolphins in the mid-2000s. The Dallas DC, however, was a finalist for the Denver job last year. It would be interesting to see if Quinn would go through another round of Broncos interviews, considering the team hired Hackett — now one of just three coaches since the 1970 merger to be fired before the end of their first season — over him.
The other name initially connected to the Broncos — Frank Reich — may not be in the running any longer, Klis adds. This would represent a quick trigger from the team’s new search committee, which is headed by CEO Greg Penner, considering interviews have not yet begun. Reich wants to be a head coach in 2023 and is a respected offensive mind, but he does not appear to be especially high on the Broncos’ early list. It will be interesting to see if this changes, depending on how the Harbaugh and/or Payton pursuits go.
The next Broncos HC, who will report directly to Penner, should be expected to be given full autonomy to assemble his staff. This would put Ejiro Evero on unsteady terrain. A holdover coordinator might be a tad unrealistic, but in the event the Broncos prioritize defensive continuity, Klis adds Evero’s contract runs beyond 2022. Paton said the team wishes to interview Evero, despite his close relationship with Hackett leading him to turn down the team’s offer.
Please just say No to Quinn and Reich!
Quinn is who I think is the best choice for them. He will take charge and Wilson will not have the influence he had this year. No way that Harbaugh or Payton will want to come to that situation.
everyone knows Josh McKown is most qualified candidate
Quinn has already shown he can’t handle anything more than defensive duties. It would be insane to bring in a D coordinator for a team in need of a QB fix. Plus Quinn flamed out in Atlanta. I don’t understand the infatuation with him as a head coach
if anyone deserves another chance as HC it’s Dan Quinn.
Has consumately been a great DC , and had to deal with Arthur Blanks Falcons last go around.
reminds me of Gary Kubiak’s career.
Great football mind, bad situation in Houston. Had a lot of success in Baltimore , got another chance at HC with the Manning Broncos and won the chip.
Lol
Maybe Russell can coach, he can keep his office and parking spots.
This year was so bad, I’d be happy with Rosberg, but the dude’s retired anyway.
Comments by the Broncos front office indicate they are looking for the head coach to be more of an overseer than a nuts and bolts offense/defense schemer. Their words indicated they are looking for leadership and experience with managing a coaching staff and are not interested in simply promoting the league’s latest hot OC/DC name.
To be honest, I think that Reich would be a better option than most on that last. Reich at least has some history of being a good offensive coach , and his since his primary issue in Denver would be quarterback, his own experience might be an advantage. It’s early, but the Penner-Walton group should be less likely to interfere than Irsay. I do not think that Quinn is anywhere even close to the realm of possibility of being a good hire, since the only thing that he would bring to the table would be a change in an already heavily talented defense.
Payton would likely the best bet, if not for the fact that he is uninterested. He is respected and credentialed enough to be able to curtail Wilson, and also to install an effective gameplan. The announcement that Paton will not be the next coach’s supervisor was, I believe, aimed at Payton. Payton would obviously not be a true GM/coach, but there’s no way that he wouldn’t get say over the roster.
Barring those two, I think that retaining Evero would be a good choice. It may not solve the Broncos’ Wilson problem on its own, but it may keep the defense competitive. If Evero (who also isn’t interested, apparently) is truly as good as he appears to be, the Broncos may be able to survive another year of the Wilson deal with a young and talented coach who can sustain the defense while the team searches for another QB. I don’t think that Evero on his own gives Wilson a good chance to recover his production, but he would possibly give Denver a chance to stay a defensive power until they reinvent themselves offensively.
I’m not sure that Harbaugh is the answer, either. I know he wants back in to the NFL, but I’m not sure that his style is long-lived enough for sustained NFL success. Also, it’d be good at least see him finish the job in Michigan or at least have a few good playoff seasons instead of departing just after finally stepping up.
Ak185;
Thanks for being honest in what your wrote.
Most posters aren’t which is why they don’t write that.
I didn’t write that, so I’m not being honest in what I wrote.
I am usually dishonest in what I write. This time I was honest. But I am not normally honest, truthfully.
Well, honest or not I’d say you have a reasonable sense of accuracy.
+1 on Reich or something similar, all they need to do is get Wilson marginally better than Hackett w/ a healthy o-line and same defense and the Broncos can win games – a lot. Unfortunately, now they’re so bad the front office is probably going to make a granular charted mess out of the whole thing.
“Me, I always tell the truth…even when I lie” – Tony Montana/Scarface
“I am not normally honest, truthfully,”. Al185
How can someone truthfully claim they’re not honest? How can you believe one word this honestly not honest person says? 4 paragraphs, all are dishonest; truthfully!
What coach would want to take on this QB and reduced draft picks? Destined to fail.
Well the Broncos aren’t getting Payton since he’s linked with Fangio as his DC. Harbaugh might but I think he’s likely to being going to LA if the chargers open up
Easy fix, hire Freddie Kitchens. The man gets results.
I’m laughing, but I’d consider Dorsey if they canned Paton. (since I’m in charge)
I hear Hue Jackson is available, and is known for his work with quarterbacks.
NFL: stop wasting money firing coaches.
Broncos, who are paying 3 head coaches: what?
Who other than Hackett are they paying? Fangio last year of his contract was last season.
Craig Bohl or Chris Klieman
✨steal Mike Tomlin !!
I think Payton and Harbaugh take other options. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Marvin Lewis wind up as Denver head coach. He will then bring Jay Gruden in as his OC..
Since the Rooney Rule is just a formality as seen by who the Broncos top HC candidates are, Matt Patricia should be available to impart his genius. Just pencil him in now.
Probably why they wanna interview Evero, would allow them to check the box without having to actually look
Wait. No mention of Jeff Saturday? I’m pretty sure he’s going to be available at season’s end.
If someone wants him at half-time, I’m sure that could be arranged.