Broncos hire McDaniels as coach

Broncos hire McDaniels as coach
January 12
Denver Post
"Pat Bowlen must dread the process of hiring a head coach. He kept Mike Shanahan around for 14 years, even though the last 10 had just one playoff win. For his next head coach, Bowlen hired someone half his own age, perhaps an indication that if all goes well, the Broncos' owner may have made the last big hire of his life. Bowlen, 64, has chosen Josh McDaniels, a 32-year-old understudy of New England's Bill Belichick, to become the Broncos' new head coach. Broncos chief operating officer Joe Ellis confirmed Sunday night the team had reached an agreement with McDaniels. The Broncos are expected to hold a news conference today or Tuesday to announce the hiring of McDaniels, who was the coordinator of the prolific New England

Patriots offense the past three years. Bowlen picked McDaniels even though there's not a responsible bartender in Colorado who wouldn't first greet the Broncos coach by asking to see his ID. McDaniels is three years younger than Broncos center Casey Wiegmann and five years younger than injured center Tom Nalen, who is expected to retire anyway. "It's not about how old you are; it's about experience," said Kenny Peterson, the Broncos defensive end who was a freshman backup tight end at McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio, when McDaniels was the starting quarterback. "His dad was a great football coach. His grandfather was a great football coach. Josh has been around football coaching all his life. "I was hoping Josh would get it because I want good things to happen to great people. And Josh is a great person. Obviously, Mr. B sees something in Josh that will lead this team to a world championship." As the interview process played out, it appeared McDaniels was the favorite almost from the time Shanahan was fired nearly two weeks ago. The Broncos' five-man search committee of Bowlen, Ellis and front-office executives Jim Goodman, Brian Xanders and Jeff Goodman interviewed six other candidates. Only McDaniels

got a second interview, which he received Thursday night during a six-hour meeting with Ellis, who in recent years has become Bowlen's most trusted confidant. Because Bowlen is obligated to pay Shanahan about $20 million over the next three years, money was a consideration while seeking a replacement. First-year coaches with no previous head coaching experience typically receive a salary around $2 million. McDaniels is expected to receive a four- or five-year contract. The Broncos' search committee also gave serious consideration to defensive coordinators Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings and Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants and Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. But Bowlen saw the most potential in McDaniels."
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