The Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox mutually agreed to part ways on Monday. Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway announced that after meeting with Fox for an hour Monday afternoon to discuss the 2014 season and team goals for the future, “it became clear that it was best for both the Denver Broncos and Coach Fox to move on and make this change.”
Denver Broncos and Head Coach John Fox Part Ways – GM John Elway May Be Cleaning House
Fox had coached the Broncos for the past four years compiling a 46-18 (.719) regular season record and a 3-4 (.429) record in the playoffs. Fox helped the team win four consecutive AFC West titles and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII last season.
Elway noted that “[w]hile we have made significant progress under Coach Fox, there is still work to be done” and that the change is intended to move closer to the goal to “win World Championships.” According to Jeff Darlington, Elway also informed the entire coaching staff that they have permission to interview for positions outside of the Broncos. Elway may be cleaning house.
While there was some speculation about the tenure of Fox, the move was still somewhat unexpected. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Fox is only the ninth head coach in NFL history to not be retained after a 12-win season and the first since Tony Dungy in 2008.
In addition, the possibility of an entirely new coaching staff in Denver for 2015 puts the future of their legendary quarterback Peyton Manning into question. Manning may decide to retire rather than try to work with a brand new coaching staff. Or, if the new head coach is an in-house promotion, Manning may be in on and supportive of the overall plan. In fact, the Broncos have three in-house candidates that could be promoted to head coach.
Broncos’ offensive coordinator Adam Gase has drawn interest by several other teams for their open head coach positions. Gase is also reportedly close with Manning. According to Ian Rapoport, San Francisco 49ers are particularly interested in Gase and may move quickly now with the Fox departure. Also, Rapoport noted that Manning has even been calling teams to recommend Gase.
Denver’s defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio is an experienced head coach who filled in for Fox when he had a health issue last season. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Del Rio is seriously being considered for the Oakland Raiders’ open head coach position. Like Gase, Del Rio would keep the continuity and be easier for Manning to return for another shot at winning a Super Bowl.
A third in-house candidate is Broncos’ running backs coach Eric Studesville. Studesville was the interim head coach after the Broncos fired Josh McDaniels four years ago. As pointed out by Christopher Hansen at Bleacher Report, Studesville has the longest tenure as a coach in Denver and would also satisfy the Rooney rule. However, Studesville has to be considered a long shot.
Outside candidates could involve defensive coordinators such as Arizona Cardinals’ Todd Bowles or Seattle Seahawks’ Dan Quinn. However, another intriguing candidate could be Mike Shanahan that teamed with Elway for five Super Bowl appearances and two championships in a previous stint as Broncos head coach. Bleacher Report Jason Cole reported that Manning was interested in Shanahan returning as Broncos head coach.
Thus far in his tenure as GM, Elway has been bold and decisive and unafraid to make moves that may ruffle some feathers. It seems likely that Elway already has a candidate in mind and has consulted with Manning on his future with the team.
It seems unlikely that Manning would want to work with an inexperienced coach or one that he is unfamiliar with. The next head coach of the Denver Broncos will likely indicate whether Manning is going to return for another season and make one last run to win the Super Bowl.
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