10:35 a.m. MST: The team meeting room is flooded with reporters and television cameras. I count 20 cameras, with plenty of photographers lined up across the front of the room.
The parking lot outside is flooded with satellite trucks — there are live radio shows happening as we speak here at Dove Valley. You can really get a feel how big this story is, not only in Broncos Country but across the nation.
10:45 a.m. MST: Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano is addressing the crowd — he said the conference will begin at around 11:01 or 11:02, for television purposes.
10:53 a.m. MST: Broncos staff members are heading into the room — the room is pretty packed. People are standing along the sides of the room against the wall, as well. Quarterbacks Coach Jeremy Bates and Wide Receivers Coach Jedd Fisch just arrived and found seats.
10:58 a.m. MST: Assistant General Managers Brian Xanders and Jeff Goodman along with Vice President of Football Operations/Player Personnel Jim Goodman are standing along the wall. The room is silent as the crowd awaits the arrival of President and CEO Pat Bowlen.
11:03: a.m. MST: A number of assistant coaches have arrived now, including Tight Ends Coach Pat McPherson, Offensive Assistant Joe Baker and Running Backs Coach Bobby Turner. Jim Saccomano is headed to the podium to address the crowd.
11:04: a.m. MST: President and CEO Pat Bowlen has just stepped to the podium. “As everybody in the room is aware, I have decided to make a historic change in this organization. I have terminated Mike Shanahan as the head coach, and I wish him very well as he goes forward. I’m sure he will end up in another organization and be as great for that organization as he’s been for this organization.”
11:05: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “Obviously he has Hall of Fame credentials, and I hope that I can replace him with somebody that can be on the same level that Mike was. That’s obviously going to be very hard to do. I decided to make this change for a number of reasons…I think it was time for the organization to move on and for Mike to move on. I have no regrets in making that decision. I have a great deal of respect for Mike, obviously, and will support him as much as I can in anything that he wants to do in the future.”
11:07: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “I had been thinking about it for a while. Obviously this season didn’t go as well as I would have wanted it to go — I’m not laying the blame on the coach for that, we just didn’t get it done…That’s not the primary reason I’m here today. It was one of the reasons.”
“I think that at this point in time, after 14 years as a head coach, it was time for us to go in a different direction. I think that Mike still wants to coach, and I think he’ll probably be more comfortable coaching in a different organization. I think it’s a good decision for both of us.”
11:08: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “Unfortunately I’ve never believed in a coach for life. I’ve had to fire other coaches — this is the third one — and they’ve gone onto successful careers in other organizations. That’s just the business.”
11:09: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “Mike and I have always had a close relationship. Obviously it’s going to be a little strained at this point, but I think as we go down the road we’ll continue to respect and appreciate each other, and we’ll continue to be friends.”
“I just felt that it was time for a change. I think 21 years with one organization, 14 years as a head coach, is about long enough. I think we want to go in a different direction.”
11:10: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on Shanahan as Head Coach/G.M.: “I felt that Mike was doing both those jobs and was doing them well. I don’t anticipate that the next head coach will have both jobs.”
11:11: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on bringing up the decision with Shanahan: “Yesterday was the first time it ever came up. (The conversation) went very well — as well as a conversation of that nature can go. I don’t think there was any animoscity at all. I think he was shocked, I think he was surprised, but I didn’t feel that there was a lot of negative vibes in that room. I think he knows how I feel about him and I think he feels the same way about me.”
11:13: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on what he would say to the fans: “We’re going to try to get a great coach to come in here. I think we’ve got a great personnel staff upstairs…This job in Denver is a very attractive one and I think we’ll get a great coach.”
11:14: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen: “At some point in time you reach a decision in your own mind. I haven’t been thinking about this the whole season…I think that as we got through the last game and I looked back at the season and looked back on our relationship and looked back on a lot of things, I thought it was time to move on. I have no doubts in my mind that Mike will go out and get another job with another organization and be very successful. But I thought that broadly if we look back at it a month from now that he’s going to agree that it was the right decision.”
“I guess nothing’s forever.”
11:16: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen tears up a little when asked what was the toughest part about the meeting with Shanahan yesterday: “I guess the emotion. The friendship. When you’re with somebody for 21 years and you’ve got to let him go, it’s a tough decision.”
“I know I have to make some decisions in this organization that I don’t like, and that was probably at the top of the list. But those are decisions you have to make when you own an organization.”
11:17: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on if it was the hardest thing he’s ever had to do: “Probably. In 25 years this is probably as tough as it gets.”
How close is this to a playoff team? “We’re not in the playoffs, so we’re a long way away. But that could change in a hurry,” Bowlen said.
11:18: a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on what he wants from the next coach: “I want somebody to come in here and win a Super Bowl. That’s my number one goal. That’s what I want to do. That’s what I’m here for…So I hope I can pick the right coach and our personnel people can pick the right players and we can go on and win the next Super Bowl.”
On the current coaching staff: “I don’t anticipate that we’ll be keeping any members of the coaching staff. Nothing will change in the personnel department.”
On if he has talked with any players: “I have talked with Jay Cutler, and Jay understood the conversation. I talked to him this morning, I didn’t get any negative feedback. I think he understands enough about the business of football and the game of football.”
11:21 a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on if he will have help in finding the next coach: “I don’t think that I would consider myself smart enough to do it all by myself. I think there’s a lot of talent in this building that can help me out, and I will rely on the advice of certain people in this building that I have respect for, and we will hopefully get a great new coach. By the way, this job here — and I don’t say this in any bragadocious way at all — but this is a very high-thought-of job.”
11:23 a.m. MST: Mr. Bowlen on his relationship with Shanahan: “I think we’ll have a relationship for life. You don’t do the things that we’ve done together and then just sort of move on and forget about it. That’s not the way this business works. So I know Mike’s very disappointed. I know I’m disappointed that I had to make this decision, but Mike will go on and he will be very successful. And I’ll be very happy for him, as long as he’s not beating us. (Smiles) I think the relationship will be, as we go forward, very strong.”
On the conversation yesterday: “Mike and I understand each other. It wasn’t a confrontational conversation, it was none of those things. It was just a conversation where I said, ‘I’ve got to move on,’ it was fully understood.”
On if Shanahan went to a division rival: “I wouldn’t be too happy if he went to Kansas City. (Laughs) Mike will have a lot of opportunities…and if I’m consulted by an owner of that team, I’ll give him the highest marks I can.”
11:25 a.m. MST: “Today we start the process of selecting a new head coach. I don’t know how long that will take, and I don’t even know who the candidates are at this time. But we will get a good head coach.”
Are you considering taking the G.M. job? “Hell no.”
11:26 a.m. MST: Bowlen walks out of the room and Mike Shanahan is stepping to the podium. “I’ve been here 21 years, so I’ve got a lot of people to thank, you’re going to have to bear with me.”
11:28 a.m. MST: Shanahan thanks his personal assistant Cindi Lowe, and says that she was really the head coach for the past 14 years. “So the bad plays were her fault,” he jokes.
“You’re not here for 21 years unless you’ve got the best people around you.”
11:31 a.m. MST: “One thing that is very exciting to me is the football team that we have — the character of this team. When you leave a football team and you leave a team that has the utmost character, you feel good about it. You feel like you’re leaving a team that has a chance to be a difference-maker.”
11:32 a.m. MST: Shanahan gets a little emotional and pauses at the podium. “Obviously Pat Bowlen — it’s tough, because he is a great friend and will always be a great friend. The best owner in sports. I appreciate every opportunity you gave me to be successful. I can go on and on, but you have to make tough decisions in any organization and Pat made a tough decision…I just thank him for giving me the opportunity to do the things that I’ve been able to do.”
11:35 a.m. MST: Shanahan: “It’s been fun. It’s been a great ride. … I wouldn’t give anything up. Do you deserve it? Hey, we didn’t win the past three years. … I didn’t get the job done and that’s the bottom line. Your job is to win championships and I haven’t won a championship in a while. The next place I go that will be the biggest thing I think about — what will give me the best chance to win a championship.”
On the decision: “It did catch me a bit by surprise, but I can understand the reasoning behind it.”
11:36 a.m. MST: Shanahan: “That’s what the Denver Broncos are…we want to win championships, and I think we will in the near future. I’ll always be a part of that.”
How tough was it to have someone tell you you’re being terminated? “I think when it happened to me the first time when I was with the Raiders it’s very tough. But all of a sudden you start getting used to getting fired — it’s not quite as tough. (Smiles) But on the serious side, it’s always tough when you put your heart into something and you get let go…The bottom line is you understand people have to make tough decisions that they think gives the organization the best chance to win.”
11:39 a.m. MST: On yesterday’s conversation: “I felt for Pat. I said, ‘Hey, I understand where you’re coming from.’ It was harder for him to tell me than it was for me to accept it. I’ve had to be in his shoes…It only lasted five minutes, because more than that I think we both would have broken down.”
Was it hard? “It hurts. But tough times don’t last — tough people do. That’s life.”
11:41 a.m. MST: Shanahan on if he will want the same dual title if he takes another coaching job: “The thing that people don’t understand I think very often is that titles don’t mean anything. What you want are confident people to run different parts of your organization. … What I want is great advice. I want the guy coaching that offensive line to coach it better than me. … That’s how you develop a strong organization, you hire people that are smarter than you in different areas.”
11:43 a.m. MST: Shanahan on if he had any inkling what he was walking into Bowlen’s office for yesterday: “No, I did not. I wasn’t really sure. Maybe lunch. (Laughs) My new restaurant that I’ve got to promote?”
11:46 a.m. MST: Shanahan on what he wants to say to the fans: “I say Denver fans are the best. We’ve got the best win-loss record at home and I attribute that to the fans. It’s a college atmosphere, and they deserve the best. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to do that the past couple years, but they’re behind you. I love them.”
11:48 a.m. MST: Shanahan on assistant coaches being let go as well: “That’s the hardest part about this job. Don’t feel bad for me. I’ve been lucky enough to last for this organization for 21 years. The people I have the most concern for are the assistant coaches, the support staff, people that have to move their families. That’s the toughest thing about being fired as head coach — you let a lot of people down.”
On if he would take a college job: “I think I’m an NFL guy. I’m not ruling anything out, because when you don’t have a job, beggars can’t be choosers.”
11:50 a.m. MST: Shanahan on what he will miss the most: “I think relationships with the people that you work with every day. Any time you work 100-hour weeks and you’re busting your rear end to make things happen, that’s what football’s about. It’s family. … That’s what I’ll miss, because I think we had a lot of things in place headed in the right direction, which is great for the Denver Broncos.”
11:51 a.m. MST: On if John Elway would be a valuable part of the organization: “If I was a free agent coming in and John Elway was there, I’d sign for no money. … I think John would be perfect for any organization, especially this one, if that’s what he wanted to do.”
11:53 a.m. MST: Shanahan on Bowlen’s decision: “It’s tough, but I’m a big boy, I can understand why he wants to go in that direction.”
11:54 a.m. MST: Shanahan: “I’m going to be coaching. I can’t give you a time frame. But I’m going to look at my options. … I love the NFL so I don’t see myself getting out of it.”
“All I can say is my experiences here were off the charts. How you develop relationships is going through those experiences together. … That’s why I appreciate everyone in this room, because one person doesn’t make it happen. Everybody together makes it happen. And you’ve got to have an owner that gives you the ability to go out and get the best people and keep the best people. … To win a Super Bowl, to separate yourself, you have to be the best in every area. And that’s what I’ll miss about here — Pat gives you the chance to do that.”
11:57 a.m. MST: Shanahan on Bowlen’s decision: “Sometimes you’ve got to go with your gut. Sometimes you’re at a place for 14 years and it’s the best thing for the organization. I’m not saying that, obviously (smiles), but I think this will always be one of the top places in the league because of leadership.”
11:58: a.m. MST: On what the past 15 hours have been like for him: “You sit down with your family, with the kids…” Shanahan pauses as he gets a little emotional.
“My son understands the business, he’s with the Texans, and my daughter’s in town, she’s getting married … they understand how tough it is to let someone go because they know how tough it was on me. So they can relate to what Pat had to do.”
12:00 p.m. MST: The press conference comes to a close.
“I appreciate everything,” Shanahan says as he shakes Vice President of Public Relations Jim Saccomano’s hand and heads out of the team meeting room.
DenverBroncos.com will have continuing coverage throughout the day, including an in-depth story, videos and photo galleries.
-Gray Caldwell, DenverBroncos.com
Tags: Gray Caldwell, Live Blog, Live Press Conference, Mike Shanahan, Pat Bowlen
broncosforlife80…yes I do expect a much better team next year. Let me give you 2 words….Falcons and Dolphins…. How can 2 teams with a combined 3 wins last season both be in the playoffs this year? Yes the coach does not throw the ball but he puts the players on the field and him starting Webster in San Diego is reason alone to can his a&*. I am a Bronco fan first and foremost but it sounds like you guys are Shanny fans first. I told you at the end of last year Mike needs to go or we would be 500 in 2008 and you guys laughed. I told you we would be 500 at the begining of the year and you guys laughed. I told you we would get worked by San Diego last week and you guys laughed. So who knows football? It will be funny after this weekend when the Falcons coach will allready match Mikes playyoff win record of 10 freakin years in his first year…..Wake up guys,……Go Broncos 4 life Baby.
i should put a x before my screen name now U WILL ALL PAY FOR WHAT U DID TO MY COACH
West Coast: Yes I do remember you saying those things , but so did alot of people! This is a team in rebuilding mode, most have accepted that fact and are understanding that this team would take time to get back to where it once was. Lets talk about the fins and falcons, yes they are under new coaches, but neither of those teams lost the number of players that the Broncos did this year. They also had defenses in place leading up to these new coaches, any offense generated from these teams was a tremendous upgrade from where they were just a year ago. Could that happen here, I sure as hell hope so! But the problem that can arise from removing the offensive coaches could provide problems for the next few years. ? You want to be rid of Shanahan each to his own, but I don’t know anybody who wants to get rid of the offense we have seen this year. You want to bring in a defensive guru, cool by me I just don’t think you sacrafice the offense at the same time.
Mike S is #1. They should have never let him go. He had rebuilt that team and had lots of injuries to his team. Not his fault. Mike you are a great coach. Maybe I well see you and your wife again at Caesars. thanks for making my dreams come true with those back to back superbowls.
I don’t think that firing shanny was the right move, especially since Bowlen said he hasn’t even looked for a Gm or a head coach. How can you fire a future hall of famer and not have someone to replace him. Bowlen better find a good coach like Marty S. or I will hate him for this. I think as long as shanahon deosn’t coach a team in our division I will start rooting for that lucky team. Shanny has been the coach of this team since I was a kid and even started watching football, I have never seen a different coach on this team, and I didn’t want to. If Bowlen deosn’t get Marty S. Bill cowher or even that guy who was the old ravens coach a year ago, it could be hard to stay a broncos fan i dont know. I definately hope we get Marty S., I don’t think we will get cowher, it seems he deosn’t want to coach, and the old ravens coach, I can’t remember his name, he might ruin our offense. sad day in broncos history Bowlen is an idiot our 09 season is ruined.
Mike shoud coach the buffalos. CU all the way.
Shanahan and Bowlen are Class acts and we are truly lucky to have Mr Bowlen as our owner. Had day it is sad to see Mike leave. It is safe to say we wish him the best and thanks for 21 great years.
I think it was time but it is very sad..
I use to think we had the best owner and coach hands down in the NFL. A class intellegent organization top to bottom. Now I need to go and do some geneology study, I think Pat might be related to Al Davis, talk about a dumb thing to do, kick em when there up, kick em when there down, do something dumb and kick em all around. Here we go Bronco fans, get ready for a down hill run we will live to regret.
bowlen needs to sell the broncos mike would be the best owner in sports
LET ME SAY SOMETHING
LET ME SAY SOMETHING
LET ME SAY SOMETHIN
WHAT WE HAVE AS A FRANCHISE, A TEAM, A FAMILY IS SOMETHING UNIQUE THATS IS THE REASON WHY I AM A DENVER BRONCO AND WILL NEVER ROOT FOR ANOTHER TEAM . . . .. . I DO THINK WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS A TRAGIC LOSS.. . . . I THINK IF WE CAN GET GRUDEN FROM TAMPA BAY WE WILL EVENTUALLY COME OUT ON TOP I LIKE THAT MOVE I THINK HE IS A GREAT FIT FOR DENVER INFACT LETS HIRE AL WILSON AS OUR D COACH CORD AND #7 ELWAY AS OUR GM . . . . HA TAKE THAT NFL
West Coast, please, do not now or ever compare the Broncos with the Falcons or the Dolphins again, thank you. Also, you are right about one thing, sicknessfl does have half a brain. After reading your nonsense about believing the Broncos would have been better than 50-50 this year without Shanahan, I’m convinced that you actually wound up with the other half. Get a grip both of you.
I would like to comend you George Bush. I read your comments and I couldn’t agree more.
While I dont agree with this decision it doesnt matter next season somone else will be pulling the strings for this team. Everyone who thinks that Shanny wasnt a good coach doesnt know anything about the history of this team. It sucks we are losing a legend. Everyone talks about the ghost of Elway what about the ghost of the best coach we have ever had. Bowlen i hope you know what you are doing. I cant stand all of you who are jumping ship we still have a strong foundation for this team. now more than ever the team needs its fans. Cutler its time for you to prove your caliber take us to the playoffs next year and stick it out. As always
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!
We mis you already Coach good luck wherever you go
Good Job D.
You got Mike fired, not something to be proud of. I will miss the guy, but I feel like Denver is ready for a change as well. New play calling and hopefully someone to put a foot in teams ass. I hope the new coach makes the team work their asses off and earn those nice paydays. Shanahan was a great coach and his record speaks for its self, a winning overall record, only 2 losing seasons in 14 years, and lets not forget the 2 SUPER BOWLS!!
Good Luck Mike, you will get another job but if you ever play against us I will not be wishing you luck anymore.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!!
This ain’t right Shanahan need to come back man!!!
I SAY AS LOYAL BRONCOS FANS WE NEED TO HAVE A PROTEST!!!
OUTSIDE THE DENVER BRONCOS MAIN OFFICE!!!!!!!!!
WHOZ WITH ME!!?!!?!!?
HAPPY NEW YEARS MIKE!!!!!!!!!! 2009
THANKS B2B CHAMPIONSHIPS
Wow – hard to believe Mike’s run is over here in Denver. Mike solidified the team when we won back to back SB’s. Those were the greatest of times as a fan and for the organization. I always thought we would get back to the SB with Mike as our coach. We came close in ’05. Pat Bowlen obviously felt it was time for a change and he is the owner…. no one else. There are obviously mixed feelings from the players, fans etc…. but such a historical decision will never make everyone happy.
Best Wishes Coach Shanahan and thanks for all you did for our Team !!
Gone but never Forgotten !!!!!!!!! See ya in the Hall of Fame !!!
Gotta love you guys that say it’s about time Shanny got canned, then you say I hope they don’t change the offense. It was Shanny’s offense, of course a new coach is going to change it. I’ll find something better to do on Sunday afternoons unless Bowlen signs one of the great coaches available like the Detroit’s coach. Gee, I can’t remember his name but he must be good if Bowlen fires a guy like Shanny to take the team in a new direction so he can hire one of the great talents available now. I’ve been a Bronco fan for over 35 years and have loved having Shanny as the head coash because you seldom thought you were out of a game. You better start pulling rabbits out of your hat Bowlen cause fans are used to exciting football in Broncoland. If you thought you heard it during Shanny tenure, just wait till your new choice goes 3-13
Alwaysbeenafanand4ever :2008 8-8 2007 7-9 2006 9-7( Jake Plummer benched-Lary Coyer Fired) 2005 13-3(D-collapse in playoffs V. Pittsburgh)2004 10-6 wild card decimated by Indy (D-fence Indy moved the ball at will, total blow out)2003 10-6 (lose 41-10 at Indy)2002 9-7 miss playoffs (Ray Rhodes fired” We need to rebuild”)2001 8-8 1999 6-10 and alot of the teams had “MR Al Wilson” So I was wrong the D-fence has been a problem the last 11 years not the last 5 what is the one common thing in all these teams not the front office not the assistant coaches Yes thats right it was Mike.(awsome O little D) So maby you should do your reasearch before you make bold statments that have loads of passion but no merrit!You need to git a grip how long should we wait for a real D-to come to Denver! And yet again D-fence wins championships and Mike for whatever reson could not “get it done”! I love you Mike but it’s TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Shanahan=Best Damn Coach Ever
Uh people after the shock and awe wears off can anyone answer the really important ? WHOS GONNA REPLACE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!! whether you like him or not shanny was a winner. I think Mr. B is one of the best owners in the bus, but my old man always told me don’t get rid of your girl until you got another one to replace her.
If it ain’t Cower or Spagnola from the Giants Im gonna be pissed I dont want Mr. Marty “run-run-pass-punt” and I don’t want Mr. personaltiy Mangini or Cronelle or Billick or the clown from Detroit.
Look personnally Im not concerned wit shanny’s feelins he has more money than us and he will land on his feet my love is for my team and I hope Mr. B didnt cut off his nose to spite his face..
ORANGE & BLUE FOR LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!
A Few things here, first, Thanks to Mike S. for elevating the franchise to the elite level. Hall of Fame coach.
I think Mike S. had the team going in the right direction. The free-agent aquisitions have been up and down, but always in the effort to make the defense better, and the offensive signings have helped alot. The past draft class could be the best of the Shannahan era. Huge difference. The team has a collection of draft picks to make moves and draft talent.
The team is young, and personel changes with free agency and the draft have been improving. So, considering the three years he had remaining, a superbowl could have been in the picture.
On the flip side, a change was inevitable, sooner or later. But with certain coaches, and the current roster, being as young and as talented as they are, with a lot of draft picks, this is the best time to make a change.
Bowlen said, “I may regret this decision”. No, Mr. Bowlen you WILL regret this decision. There isn’t even a guy in place to take over. You fire a guy like Shannahan and then go shopping? Are you nut’s? This is not the guy you let go and not have someone else on the hook already. I don’t know who they will get that is worth a damn. This one is gonna take some getting used to. This Hurts as bad as when Elway retired.
Man, I just think instead of immediate results, we will see a major setback. This team was a couple D tackles and D ends from being a capable team. The defense was set everywhere else. Anyone who knows the game of football realizes, DB’s & LB’s are only as good as the D line.
I’m gonna be pissed if we pick up some of the garbage out on the market right now. None are worth or worthy of giving up Shannahan.
Good Luck to your “organization”, WTF you gonna do when Shanny goes to Chiefs and runs wild on you. This Sucks Butt.
My ColoradoCutler
Looks like you made the list for me. Maybe you can’t count. How many winning seasons was that again? I sat through every one of them, game by game. Where were you? Do you really think they got that far without hard hitting defenses? Research, piss, sounds like you really believe the offense did it all by themselves? Let me repeat myself. Listen up this time. Winning seasons and playoff births in the NFL are something to be mighty proud of and loosing in the post season just flat out happens, even for the best. You can’t win them all, like it or not. I suppose you think Elway loosing those Super Bowl’s wasn’t something to damn proud of, as well. The competition in this league is phenomenal. Don’t you think? Your right about one thing, the common denominator to all of those GREAT BRONCO TEAMS from the past (contrary to what you’re oppinion seems to be) was in fact Mike Shanahan, good call fairweather fan.
the news is hard but like any business if you are not the best than you will be replaced there are a lot of good assistant coaches available why not entice ron rivera can we say defense when does kubiaks contract expire we all remember the job he did in making elway the player he became everyone say’s mike should of gotten two more years and when we stay 8 and 8 what then mike would never of given up being GM because he had control over his team that way and any that think different are living a fantasy I being a fan since 73 have seen alot from red miller to reeves to mike guess what with each change we got better see the trend!! Mr. Bowlen did not get into this to have a 500 team he is a winner that want’s to win and so do the bronco nation the greatest fans in the N.F.L it was time for a change maybe the over paid player’s we have will wake up and realize Pat will get rid of any that does not succeed I like the message that has been sent Mike you are great and MR. bowlen thank you for the change GO BRONCO’S
i’m just glad shanny and bowlen understand each other so darn well. i love bowlens instinct of knowing when it is time to move on, i felt like he was very sincere about his respect for shanahan and also how hard it is for him to let go. you could see the emotion took a toll on both of them, shanny has been through this before. me….i will be watching every game shanny coaches hoping he loses every one. i’m a bronco for life, if your not with us your against us “this is the nature of a true fan, and this business”. oh,…..shanny the raiders are looking for a coach!!!!! you know i was thinking how many more years will al davis live he is like the damn devil he just won’t kick the damn bucket. how old is he like 2000yrs old.
Not often would I respond but DB outAgain say what you want but how many coaches have you seen and player personal can we say ryan leaf you should look to your teams history before bashing another oh and after this weekend when manning spanks your A– again LT can make another soup commercial rivers can blame everyone your coach will get fired and guess what we will still kick your A– again so stay to your tems site or is it that your team is and alway’s will come in second to the bronco’s when it comes to the afc history that you all feel the need to jump ship and show your idiocy by coming here
West coast- I meant do u really think this team will be a better team next season WITHOUT SHANAHAN? I dont think so..
The talent is there. we have one of the best QB’s in the league, so much young talented players and the rookie class, SO MUCH POTENTIAL. Just needed some shaking up defensively not in the coaching staff in the personnel.
Yeah and dont compare apples to oranges, dont campare the broncos to the falcons or the dolphins. 2 way different teams and franchises.
13 MINUTES TILL THE NEW YEAR…
GOTTA GO RING IT IN……….HOPEFULLY ITS A GOOD ONE FOR THE DENVER BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that was a huge mistake by the broncos in 2008, now we need to make up for it in 2009
Alwasebeenafanand4ever-I never said he could not win games or was not a good coach just that he could not build a solid D when was the when was our D in the top 10 or 15 you dont know do you?We could play good in spots but to lose over and over the same way shows a lack of ability to make the grade.And Im glad you brought up the Elway years Dan another hall of famer lost his job not because he could not make it to the playoffs or even the super bowl but could not win the big one. Now Mike should keep his job becase he he won one play off game in the last decade?Yes its a tough league and to make the playoffs is good just not good enough! It may be enough just to go to the playoffs (i do respect your support of the team by the way)Lets say you are right Q:why cant we win in the playoffs tuff luck, bad breaks,bad calls what educate me?How do we get better?How long should we wait? A:The main reason is we can not now or in the last 5-8 years stop the run you might think we could but the stats say diffrent .I have lost my voice cheering them on time and time again supported them when thay have lost !And thi time I land on the side of our owner.I have not missed a game in over 20 years by the way! And because you disagree with me (and the stats)And I want to win in the playoffs ,Makes me a fair weater fan you may want to check the definition of the term!!!I say we agree to disagree and let time show who is right! I will love them and support them no matter who the coach is!! Go BRONCOS 2009-2010 is ours for the taking! Donkyboltedoutagain – Wow 8-8 the worst team to ever make it to the playoffs. How sad that you think it is worth braging over!Lets take a year end total of the Dolts “power house season. hummmmm You are Still unable to sell out all your home games without aid from local corp. Went 8-8 to win the A.F.C. west wow that is = 2 being the worlds tallest midget. And what did the win get you a beat down from the colts(home of the M.V.P.),A lower draft pick and best of all another season of Norv & A.J. Wow I am in awe! You are as classless as your Q.B.,But what can I expect from A Dolts fan you all fire the best coach you have ever had after a winning season In favor of Norv? So I would not expect somone like you to understand What Mike ment to us,you just would not get it .We will se cry me a Rivers does in the pro bowl(o wait) at least he won M.V.P.(oops my bad not that either) Your posts are midly annoying but go to show that You and your team are classless as well as uneducated!(now curse some more )show us all how much you know!
Happy new year !!!
I have never been more pleased to be a Broncos fan than I am right now.
Both Shannahan and Bowlen have great respect for one another and will be friends for a long time, and showed what class both of these men have. This was a business decision, plain and as simple as that. Every team looks for free agents and in the draft to solidify their team, that doesnt mean the F/A’s that we pick up are washed up or anything of the sort. It means that we are looking to fill a need. We should all feel lucky that we had a great coach like Shannahan as long as we had. And be thankfull that we have an owner like Bowlen that can make the tough call. A change of scenery can do great things for both the Broncos and coach Shannahan. Good luck and God bless to you and your family coach, wherever you may end up. I also give also give mr Bowlen cudo’s for having the stones to make this tough decision. President Teddy Roosevelt once stated that “our country has faltered more by INDECISION rather than a BAD decison”. Happy New Year everyone.
Go Broncos 09
While we can debate the merits of Bowlen firing Shanny, the reality is that it’s adone deal and we have to forward from hear. What will the Broncos new head coach inherit? A team with coaching stability second to none. Only the Broncos and Steelers have had only three head coaches in the last 25 years! While thias means many things to the new had coach it also means that the person Bowlen hires as head coach will be younger than many iof thye named bandied about on this blog. Who’s in and who’s out for consideration? Let’s look at it logically as possible.
JOHN ELWAY Name one HOF in any sport who has ever been a excellent manager, head coach, etc of a prefessional sport. There are none!! They’ve all sucked because they are don’t understand how the average player works. Look at Bart Starr. One of the greatest Packers ever. He sucked. REJECTED
ALEX GIBBS Gibbs has consistantly turned down promotions fronm all the teams he’s worked for. He doesn’t want to be a head coach. Also, he’s very old. REJECTED
JOE GIBBS His second run as head coach showed thatnthe game has passed him by and he’s to old. REJECTED
MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER The Broncos offense if one of the best going. It works totally different than Martyball. Want to go to a Super Bowl? Remember his pathertic playoff record and his age? REJECTED
BILL PARCELLS Yes Parcells produces winners. But for how long? Look at his track record. He has NEVER stayed of any tream for over 5 years. Is this the kind of stability we want? Also, he’s to old. REJECTED
HERM EDWARDS If the Chiefs new owners can him, he’d be an interesting chioce. But, look at how he ended up with the Chiefs. After claiming for weeks that he had absolutely no interest in the Chiefs head coaching position and that he was staying with the Jets, he screwed the Jet and jumped ship. Is this the character we want the Broncois new head caoch to have? REJECTED
ROB RYAN Young, excellent defensive mindset and it gets Al Davis’s best coach from him. KEEPER
TONY SPAGNOLA Young, excelllent defensive mindset. KEEPER
BRIAN BILLICK Billick was hired by the Ravens because of his offensive genius. The Ravens won and continue to win because of their defense. REJECTED
BILL COHWER Young, excellent coaching history. Will his ego allow him to not mess with the way the Broncos offense works? Probably not. REJECTED
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned Mike Holmgren? I think he would be a great pickup as the Bronco head coach. He may have to accept NOT being a GM, which he and Cowher prefer, but aside from that I think he would be a great fit.
ummm was i shock not really i mean not really i kinda of figured it really was colse to his time you look at what we been doing lately our defense has been going down while i offense has be coming up we werent getting in the playoffs and if we were we just lost i mean we were ahead but 3 games to lose the last three and give up 52points to the chargers had to leave a bad taste in pat bowens mouth some one had to go i didnt really think it was gonna be him just all the defensive staff…so im not happy to see him go and im not sad really i just hope we get a coach like BILL COWHER!!!! why pat bowen said it himself he wants someone who can come in here and get a championship well hes the only freeagent coach that was the last to get one basically the man knows what it takes to make a team great on both sides of the balls
Colorado Cutler,
You just don’t get it do you. Correct me if I’m wrong, but not only on two seperate occasions did you claim Shanahan couldn’t win the big one, but you failed to include two Super Bowl wins in that indepth list you made. (Which ‘big one’ would they be)? I don’t doubt you love the Broncos at all, but I think you’re wrong for ‘siding with the owner’. It’s just not that simple. If you truly are a Bronco Fan than you already know better than putting much faith in ratings from the media. NO ONE gives the Broncos any love. Stats, oh come on!, they are no more than season end reviews. Big games are missed or made on a moment and many times a single play. (Bad calls as well). Yet, for more than the most part, those calls always go the other way. Just because old Ed H. makes one bad call in our favor, it in no way shape or form makes up for the MANY others that have damned sure affected us at key times during key games. Come on, this very year DB’s rode Marshall into the end zone, like the horse he is, sometimes for the last five yards with the Ref just standing there with his thumb up his ass. No call, and it cost us the game in more than one instance. It should have never came down to the San Diego game. Bad breaks in bones, ligaments, tendons, etc… effected the team big time this year (and other years as well). That’s the NFL and sometimes it doesn’t work out when it matters the most. You go back and recheck those stats. The ‘D’ was rated near the top in run stop, while in many different recent years. (Who doesn’t know)? A couple of those instances they were not given the credit by the media that they really deserved and should have been #1. Guess what, the offense struggled those years (games), or did you even bother to look at the offensive stats? You need to watch Super Bowl XXXII again. Although not ranked very well, that Bronco ‘D’, just as in so many other years and games, showed up and kicked ass. Atwater had the best game of his season, and they put the thump on a very tough GB offense. That more than helped the offensive side of the ball. Later, the media praised Elway and Terrell (which everyone KNOWS they deserved) but didn’t want to stick their foot in their mouth when it came to the ‘D’. Don’t fool yourself every year is different. When the secondary is hurting (injury or what), they pass the ball on us, and when it’s the line or backs, well you get my point. Don’t tell me the offense hasn’t choked, as well, when it really counted. That’s the way the ball bounces, some times. Go ahead and break a chair, but don’t break the strongest link in the chain. That is called making the problem worse. Just so you know, Dan Reeves was fired because he refused to let John play his game. What did Shanahan do? I remember very well.
Buckle in tight boys and girls….i have a feeling we’re gonna regret this decision for a loooong time………
We need a good defence coach!!!!
Great Coach one of the best ever horrible GM
Horrible move. We will regret it. As for the open coaching position, I think Bill Cowher would be a great fit for the team. He will improve our defense and maybe get some new ideas for the offense.
I still think Mike would have lead our team to another Championship . In 05 , we weren’t so far but from this time , the defense have crumbled for whatever reason ( the loss of key players , mainly All Wilson ) .Sure , some bad decision were made ( firing Coyer , Sam Adams , Simeon Rice , Warren , the 2 first picks in 07 ….. ) but who’s to blame for these decisions ? Mike is a genious offense wise and surely needed some help on the other side of the game , now he’s gone and i don’t see a more valuable coach on the market .Bowlen is now in front of the toughest part of the process : replace shanny whith a guy who’ll have to succeed right now , next season ;Wow!!
TO ALL THE JUMP SHIPPERS GOOD RIDDENS ! ! !
Shanny leaving is the best news i have heard from this team in 10 years!!!! since the 98′ season we havent done anything!! Shanny took over the team that was in place and fine tuned it a little and then won 2 super bowls, but since elway he hasnt done anything in 10 years!! So thank you Pat for giving us a real chance at glory again, bring in the new and out with the old!!! Lets go broncos!!!
get ready folks for a long season I looked at next years oppenets at best we are looking at 4-12 and west coast
please do kick your self in the nuts any young coach bowlen
brings in wont get the job done either
i wont be as harsh as thebroncoguy but it was a time for a change. i’ll say it again- ten years of mediocre results is just too long. PERIOD. i love shanny too but come on. a new coach, if picked right, and Bowlen will pick the right one, will do wonders for the Broncos and i firmly believe that. All the doubters just need to look at the organization as a whole and know you can trust them to do the right thing. people smarter than us are gonna make the team better. count on it.
The Team is meeting with Giants Deffensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Saturday & Bucs Deffensive Coordinator Raheem Morris on Sunday. Any guesses as to which field Pat Bowlen thinks needs improvement from this past season??? All we can do is wish for the best, right?? What are your thoughts on this move bronco nation?
OH! More info on this at cbs4.com
Happy New Year everyone!
Only time will tell how good of a decision this was. We had the best owner and coach for 14 years. Very lucky!
oldsouthstander….you kick butt. I totally agree with your coaching analysis. If I may I would also throw Rex Ryan in the mix. I’m positive that the ravens are always near the top defensively. Marty S. is the king of third place, a dynasty of mediocrity, a total waste of nfl space, and futhermore, he is too old. To all you losers who want him here…..go cheer for someone else, you are too stupid to be a bronco fan. If you want someone capable, two words STEVE SPAGNUOLO!!!
Go Broncos!!!!!!!!
Like everyone else I was completely shocked and if anyone would od told me he was going to be fired after this season I would of put my life on it that he’d still be here. I love the broncs and shanny and they right in a sense that we haven’t gotten in the playoffs in a while but i just think if Pat would of just told shanahan like look u got one more year and if there’s no substantial improvement than ur out, like something along those lines. I think if we would of just gave him one more chance ,one more year that would of made a difference.. But right now i thinks it was a bad call to fire him i mean who out there is similiar to shanahan i mean i don’t want bill cowher commin in and turning our offense completly around cuz its right to try to get him for the D but i don’t want our offense suffering because of that. idk cuz like desser44 said only time will tell how good of a decesion this was but who knows maybe Holmgren but uh if i could pick a fantasy HC maybe Andy Reid or John Gruden. Simply because i think if we had superb pass defense the run defense would follow cuz honestly the linebackers we had this year were decent but it’s just that everyone was worried about the pass and safetys were often 20 yds off the line. But i still think one more draft would of fixed this team and we didnt have to fire shanahan. GOD i hope shanahan doesn’t kill us with another team like he did the raiders but it defenitly will be a chess match no matter what coach we have. Good look mike you’ll definetly be missed.
come on you guys and your coach guessing, alex gibbs john gruden rob ryan what the hell who are you guys kidding? i dont wanna think about it but i wanna see bob stoops from oklahoma turn up, but i dont wanna see anyone besides shanahan coaching this team to be honest