Apparently it is now vogue to use social media for ultra important communication. A few weeks ago Vince Young, now former starting quarterback of the Tennessee Titans, tweeted his head coach, Jeff Fischer an apology (not exceeding 140 characters) for throwing his equipment into the stands and walking out on the team. Today, not to be outdone, the Denver Broncos tweeted: “Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen has relieved Josh McDaniels of his head coaching duties. Details to follow on DenverBroncos.com.” How’s that for an environmentally friendly way to announce the firing of a head coach? One of the most historic and proud NFL organizations does not even bother to hold a press conference? For more information on the firing of Coach McDaniels, head over to the team’s website. For frustrated fans with questions we suggest you use your iPhone 4’s Face Time video chat feature with Bowlen… if you have his mobile number.
It has been clear since the days leading up to the firing of former head coach, Mike Shanahan that this once admired Denver Broncos organization has lost its way. There was a time that many organizations tried to emulate the Broncos way. Their ability to draft well and make the playoffs year after year was something exceptional. But now, one week removed from an interview with AOL Fan House where Bowlen stated: “I’m very happy with Josh. Josh is doing a good job.” And later in the interview stating McDaniels would be his head coach through next season. Not sure what made the 66 year old Bowlen change his mind, but he is now owner of an organization which is adrift amidst controversy, chaos, and the salaries of two former coaches through the 2011 seasons. This 3-9 team is a perfect symbol of how far the mighty have fallen. The once proud have slipped to the level of punch-line.
Though the decision to fire McDaniels surprises few, the timing is what many find curious. It was expected that immediately following the recent video taping scandal that Bowlen would jump at the opportunity to release the underachieving 34 year old head coach. Since coming in and alienating his quarterback and a record setting wide receiver, McDaniels has managed just an 11-17 record. It was theorized that McDaniels salary obligations could be jettisoned along with him since the video scandal which took place under his management were egregious violations of league policies. Instead a misguided vote of confidence results in another Denver Broncos train wreck.
Ever since McDaniels was hired following the 2008 season controversy, distractions, poor decisions, and losses have mounted. Poor handling of free agents, current players, and draft miss-management has removed the remaining luster from this once revered organization. McDaniels was brought in as the youngest head coach in the NFL, but his pedigree having been a disciple of New England Patriots legend, Bill Belichick was to make the age issue moot. McDaniels was given unprecedented control of the Broncos. Do not forget that Shanahan’s firing was the result of his adamant refusal to dismiss his offensive coordinator.
The defining moment of the Josh McDaniels era is best illustrated this off-season. In the middle of March, McDaniels trades fullback, Peyton Hillis to the Cleveland Browns for underwhelming quarterback, Brady Quinn. A few weeks later at the NFL draft, McDaniels trades way-way up to take a quarterback most General Managers did not project prior to the fourth round. In drafting Tim Tebow and trading away many future draft picks in that acquisition, McDaniels added a project player to a quarterback mix that was considered mediocre at best. By-the-way, Hillis has gone on to have a one-thousand yard season for the Browns through just 12 games.
For Broncos fans these are days to reflect quietly and somehow survive. For NFL fans it is a time to ponder. How can a sinking ship be saved? Having traded away so many future draft picks makes difficult adding players via the draft. The money being paid to two former coaches makes getting a top flight head coach (and General Manager) darn near impossible and seriously carves into a teams ability to sign top free agents. The fact is it will likely be many seasons before the Denver Broncos can again ride atop the mountain of NFL relevancy.
Hands up who wants this Head Coach position next year.
As you said Jeff, they’re not going to get a decent squad for quite a few seasons, also what do you do with Tebow? I always thought Tim was a McDaniels project, so he’ll have to hope he doesn’t get into a Leinart situation now. Things are looking pretty bad all around.
Furthermore, I wonder how long it will take for Josh McDaniels to get another coaching gig? I could see him getting an offensive coordinator position somewhere. It’s not as if his coaching is bad, just his team management skills.
In regards to the most important part of all of this…
Is it back to Joshie or HWMNBN’d?
Great article Jeff. What a mess little Josh has left the
broncos in!
The Broncos need to get this decision right. Hindsight is 20/20, but they should have jumped at the chance to get Steve Spagnuolo and rebuild the defence instead of going after another offensive coach to upgrade an already good offence. The problem is, where do they go now? Leslie Frazier has been talked about, but he is surely certain to get the Vikes job on a permanent basis. There’s also been talk of some guy Calhoun from Air Force. He seems to have done a good job there, but is he really ready for the NFL. As a Broncos fan, I would personally like to see them go after Perry Fewell
I think a large part of the blame can be attributed to Bowlen himself. HE fired Shanahan, HE hired Joshie, HE sided with Joshie over his QB, HE gave way too much power to someone who didn’t have any history of being able to do the job in the first place, HE approved the trade of Hillis to the Browns to try and fix the mess he and Joshie made in the QB arena…I didn’t even get into Joshie’s pissing match with Brandon Marshall. McDaniels was an attempt to ‘go young’ with someone he could tell what to do. Bowlen did this to the Bronco’s, Joshie was too young and immature to be head coach, and Bowlen should have done due-diligence and at least brought him in MAYBE as a co-ordinator…certainly not head coach.
I think Gary Kubiak might be the next coach. Has a lot of history with the Broncos organization.
Also I think any team in need of an offensive coordinator will jump at a chance to sign Josh McDaniels. He is a really good offensive coach. He was the OC of the 07 Pats, one of the greatest offenses ever
Not to blow up your spot Jeff, but Michael Lombardi wrote a different opinion piece at nfl.com that was little kinder on McDaniels and a lot harsher on the Broncos organisation. Quite an interesting comparison to what happened between Belichick and Cleveland back in 95.
http://tinyurl.com/29q2hf4
So the Josh McDaniels as a HC experiment failed… as did the Mangini experiment in NYJ, The Romeo Crennel experiment in Cleveland, the Charlie Weiss experiment in Notre Dame… Maybe getting your self a Bill Bellichick Jr. is not as simple as hiring a coordinator and making him a HC!
I believe the biggest problem with the Belichick philosophy is that it can’t be accomplished by a fresh coach, regardless of age. I do agree with presenting the team with a new philosophy that they can buy into; however, the coaching position is viewed too often as a dictator’s role. Yes, the coach should be viewed as the highest authority figure on the team (otherwise owners can undermine true preparation by personnel threats, which really takes away from the importance of priorities), although it is really the PLAYERS that put the coach up on the pedastal. I guarantee you that Joshie McD has given a few locker room speeches during his stay with the Broncos that fell on a room of deaf ears. When a coach comes into a new organization, he has every right to bring the best philosophy he has, except that he has to hold regard for the team because it is just that – A TEAM. The coach should be considered as a co-captain and leader, not a 4th grade teacher. When you have a well-respected tenure in an organization and with 90% of your players, only then can you even THINK about running your team the way Bellichick succeeds with his.
Even Belichick has been under fire the past couple years when he disciplined Randy Moss and someone else for showing up late for practice. Hindsight shows that really Belichick was a good judge of character whom no one else saw first-hand. Regardless of how Moss turned out, the rest of the team in the back of their minds knew that no matter what, Belichick would get them through whatever slump they were in because he always has a golden plan for his team. When Belichick traded off Randy Moss, he was certainly criticized, but yet NOBODY questioned whether or not he would be out of a job at the end of the year. Once you have that kind of reputation, THEN you can run your team anyway you like just so long as you can keep your respect in tact.
“My way or the highway” will never work for a coach who’s been with a team for > 3 years.
Oh and one last slam on Joshie that I haven’t heard anyone talk about elsewhere… What really showed his maturity flaws was when he had his DAD show up to an away game at KC and be on the sidelines helping him with play calling. I’m all for checking in with your wisdom card before or after a game, but what I saw on Sunday with a little boy who caved under the pressure and called his daddy – a high school coach nonetheless.
I may be wrong, but when’s the last time you saw Marty actually stand on the sidelines next to Brian during a Jets game….on the road!