Fierro: Mike Shanahan tossed into growing NFL coaching carousel
Source: Easton Express-Times
bu NICK FIERRO
Two straight Super Bowl victories in the late 1990s had Mike Shanahan flying a mile high in Denver. Three straight seasons out of the playoffs in this decade had him seeking new employment as of Dec. 30. That's the way it goes for even the finest NFL coaches.
The most successful coach in the history of the Broncos franchise was fired last week, following a New York Mets-like collapse that saw the Broncos lose their last three games and squander an AFC West title that was theirs for the taking all season.
Shanahan will land somewhere soon, providing he still wants to work. He's too good to be out of a job for very long.
His sudden availability placed him at or near the top of the unofficial "hot list" of head-coaching candidates for the positions that either are open or might pop open soon because he's now on the market.
For example, Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones, despite the promise he made to bring Wade Phillips back as head coach next year before his team's ghastly loss to the Eagles in the season finale, would be foolish not to openly court Shanahan.
Not having an accomplished head coach in place before moving into its new stadium next season could prove to be disastrous for a franchise that will begin hemmorhaging money if it doesn't begin to sell the many personal seat licenses still available. As it is, Jones has applied for another loan to help with construction costs that have exceeded $1 billion.
Same goes for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are expected to cut Herm Edwards loose any day now; and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have won just one playoff game in six seasons under Jack Del Rio, who is coming off a last-place finish in the AFC South.
Shanahan, who will make $21 million over the next three years from the Broncos if he doesn't find another job, is understandably not ready to jump at the first offer. He told the NFL Network after his firing that he would take a two-week vacation before speaking to any prospective employers.
Among the other names on the hot list are New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (who already has interviewed with everyone except the Pope), former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Even Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who's been promised the head-coaching job down the road by Jones, would be on the move.
The New York Jets, who fired Eric Mangini, have interviewed Spagnuolo after making unsuccessful runs at Cowher and Shanahan.
bu NICK FIERRO
Two straight Super Bowl victories in the late 1990s had Mike Shanahan flying a mile high in Denver. Three straight seasons out of the playoffs in this decade had him seeking new employment as of Dec. 30. That's the way it goes for even the finest NFL coaches.
The most successful coach in the history of the Broncos franchise was fired last week, following a New York Mets-like collapse that saw the Broncos lose their last three games and squander an AFC West title that was theirs for the taking all season.
Shanahan will land somewhere soon, providing he still wants to work. He's too good to be out of a job for very long.
His sudden availability placed him at or near the top of the unofficial "hot list" of head-coaching candidates for the positions that either are open or might pop open soon because he's now on the market.
For example, Dallas Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones, despite the promise he made to bring Wade Phillips back as head coach next year before his team's ghastly loss to the Eagles in the season finale, would be foolish not to openly court Shanahan.
Not having an accomplished head coach in place before moving into its new stadium next season could prove to be disastrous for a franchise that will begin hemmorhaging money if it doesn't begin to sell the many personal seat licenses still available. As it is, Jones has applied for another loan to help with construction costs that have exceeded $1 billion.
Same goes for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are expected to cut Herm Edwards loose any day now; and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who have won just one playoff game in six seasons under Jack Del Rio, who is coming off a last-place finish in the AFC South.
Shanahan, who will make $21 million over the next three years from the Broncos if he doesn't find another job, is understandably not ready to jump at the first offer. He told the NFL Network after his firing that he would take a two-week vacation before speaking to any prospective employers.
Among the other names on the hot list are New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo (who already has interviewed with everyone except the Pope), former Pittsburgh coach Bill Cowher and New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Even Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, who's been promised the head-coaching job down the road by Jones, would be on the move.
The New York Jets, who fired Eric Mangini, have interviewed Spagnuolo after making unsuccessful runs at Cowher and Shanahan.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:13 PM
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