Four Reasons the Broncos Passed on Hiring Kyle Shanahan as Head Coach

[Denver Native (Carol)]

The San Francisco 49ers won only three games in 2018. It was the second year of Kyle Shanahan as the head coach, which was preceded by a 6-10 finish in his first year in San Fran.

In his first two years, Shanahan won a grand total of nine games for the Niners. Meanwhile, he patiently but diligently set about rebuilding the foundations of the roster, biding his time for his quarterback — Jimmy Garoppolo — to return from the ACL injury that cost him most of 2018.

Fast forward to the end of the 2019 season and Shanahan had reversed the Niners’ record from the year previous, finishing 13-3 with an NFC West crown and the No. 1 seed in the Conference. Two playoff victories later and Shanahan’s Niners are headed to Super Bowl LIV to face the Kansas City Chiefs.

rest - https://www.si.com/nfl/broncos/news/4-reasons-the-denver-broncos-passed-on-hiring-kyle-shanahan-as-head-coach

[aberdien]

1. Because they were stupid

[chazoe60]

1. Because they were stupid

2.Ditto
3.Ditto
4.Ditto

[Tned]

At the end of the day, the Broncos had John Elway — the Duke of Denver himself — running football operations and he wasn’t ready or willing to relinquish that control to a first-time upstart. Not many owners or front-office czars would have been willing to give Shanahan what he wanted but the Niners represented the perfect storm — the perfect fit.

It’s kind of crazy to think that Joseph won two more games than Shanahan did in his first two seasons as a head coach. Despite that, the Broncos and Niners couldn’t have been on more different trajectories.

Shanahan has been very successful and you’ve got to tip your cap to him and wish him well. Elway and the Broncos had to learn the hard way how wrong their “preconceived notions” were during that coaching carousel. Elway vowed after he’d fired Joseph two short years later that he learned a lot and that this next round of interviews would be approached differently.

...

[aberdien]

...

You left out the best part:


One season later, from the outside looking in, it feels like Elway made the right decision with Fangio. Combined with the acquisition of Drew Lock, the Broncos are entering the 2020 offseason with true momentum and a feeling of optimism for the future.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

1. Son of Mike

When it came to the actual interview and decision-making process, team President and CEO Joe Ellis was a factor. Going in, though, the fact that Kyle was the son of Mike Shanahan might have started him out with a check in the 'con' column in the estimation of Ellis.

more in regards to how Ellis played in the decision


2. Kyle Wanted Personnel Control

For some reason, a misconception exists that Niners’ GM John Lynch is Shanahan’s boss. It’s the other way around. Kyle has the final say on all matters of personnel and hiring. It was he that hired Lynch to be GM, with of course the approval of Niners’ CEO Jed York.


Bottom Line

Not many owners or front-office czars would have been willing to give Shanahan what he wanted but the Niners represented the perfect storm — the perfect fit.

[slim]

At the time, it was such an obvious hire to make. The definition of a no-brainer.

So disappointing

[Mozzafiato]

I'm not a fan of the "coach with personnel control" model myself. And anyone should be able to understand why a GM wouldn't want to hire a coach who demands that.

[Northman]

I'm not a fan of the "coach with personnel control" model myself. And anyone should be able to understand why a GM wouldn't want to hire a coach who demands that.

I understood it with Shanny Sr. as he had already won 2 SB's but i do think if thats how it went down that Jr. was asking for a lot for a guy with nothing like that on his resume.

[slim]

I understood it with Shanny Sr. as he had already won 2 SB's but i do think if thats how it went down that Jr. was asking for a lot for a guy with nothing like that on his resume.

Mike advised his son to do so. After his debacle in Oakland, he learned it was the best way

[aberdien]

If that's what it takes to get a top 5 coach in the NFL, you gotta do it.

[Northman]

Mike advised his son to do so. After his debacle in Oakland, he learned it was the best way

Probably some bad advice then (IMO) as it seemed to be a problem point for Denver.

[Northman]

If that's what it takes to get a top 5 coach in the NFL, you gotta do it.

And if it backfires then what?

[slim]

And if it backfires then what?

You hire VJ?

[Northman]

You hire VJ?

I guess, i mean what exactly has Kyle won at this point?

[aberdien]

And if it backfires then what?

Then it backfires. I'd rather take my chances with that than a lame VJ/Fangio hire.

[aberdien]

I guess, i mean what exactly has Kyle won at this point?

He has reached a SB and is very close to reaching another with Jimmy ******* Garoppolo.

[Nomad]

So Ellis said no?

[Northman]

Then it backfires. I'd rather take my chances with that than a lame VJ/Fangio hire.

Welp, shit happens. No sense crying about it at this point. People bitching and moaning about not hiring a specific guy is pretty lame i think. Nobody knew how good/bad or Kyle was going to be at the time he was interviewed. Its easy to look back and say "yea that was a mistake" but in reality Kyle hasnt won anything yet to justify the moaning and groaning about it. All we can do is try to move forward as a organization.

[Simple Jaded]

I don’t want another Shanatan with absolute power, I’m surprised Broncos fans need this explanation.

[Northman]

He has reached a SB and is very close to reaching another with Jimmy ******* Garoppolo.

How many SB's has he won? Asking for a friend. Hey wasnt he up 20-6 with 6 minutes left and choked it away?

[Nomad]

I don’t want another Shanatan with absolute power, I’m surprised Broncos need this explanation.

Slowik was Mike’s demise.

[Northman]

Slowik was Mike’s demise.

Which is why having all the power is not always a good thing.

[Nomad]

Which is why having all the power is not always a good thing.

Wasn’t it more about friend loyalty?

[Northman]

Wasn’t it more about friend loyalty?

Oh im sure Mike was very loyal to Slowik but there was no one there to force Mike to make changes and keep him in check. Slowik eventually left because Mike literally ran out of excuses for the guy.

[slim]

I guess, i mean what exactly has Kyle won at this point?

There are arguments to make. This one is foolish.

You are better than this

[slim]

I don’t want another Shanatan with absolute power, I’m surprised Broncos need this explanation.

Yeah, I hate winning too.

[slim]

Welp, shit happens. No sense crying about it at this point. People bitching and moaning about not hiring a specific guy is pretty lame i think. Nobody knew how good/bad or Kyle was going to be at the time he was interviewed. Its easy to look back and say "yea that was a mistake" but in reality Kyle hasnt won anything yet to justify the moaning and groaning about it. All we can do is try to move forward as a organization.

Incorrect. It was obvious that Kyle was a winner and the kind of guy you want leading your organization. I said so at the time, so you can save your hot takes for the proletariat

[aberdien]

How many SB's has he won? Asking for a friend. Hey wasnt he up 20-6 with 6 minutes left and choked it away?

How many playoff games has he won with scrub QBs since he's been there? How many have we won?

[aberdien]

It's insane to watch the 9ers, watch Shanny Jr's playcalling genius, use of his weapons, etc, and not think that we should've hired him.

It is the offseason and Shany's 9ers are in the news, so it is worthy of moaning and bitching about as we are in the midst of the search for our next HC so we can learn from our mistakes.

[Rosebus]

Some great takes in here. What if it backfires? Who'd want another Shanny-type experience? What's the guy ever won? Really? With the knowledge of what the Broncos have done in that time span? Ridiculous.

[dogfish]

How many SB's has he won? Asking for a friend. Hey wasnt he up 20-6 with 6 minutes left and choked it away?

how many has anyone won besides belichick the last two decades? winning super bowls is friggin' hard. . . pete carroll has one, sean payton has one, andy reid has one. . . if winning a super bowl (not getting there, not winning in the playoffs) is the only measure of success, then trent dilfer was a better QB than dan marino and dan fouts. . . that's just piss-poor logic. . . mini-shanny is clearly a damn good coach-- night and day better than the garbage we've trotted out since we passed on him. . .

[Simple Jaded]

Yeah, I hate winning too.

Ha! Ease up on the “winning” cliche. You and Shanatan Jr needed a miracle finish the last two 49er games to NOT be LoL’ed for this take. Easy big shifter.

[Simple Jaded]

how many has anyone won besides belichick the last two decades? winning super bowls is friggin' hard. . . pete carroll has one, sean payton has one, andy reid has one. . . if winning a super bowl (not getting there, not winning in the playoffs) is the only measure of success, then trent dilfer was a better QB than dan marino and dan fouts. . . that's just piss-poor logic. . . mini-shanny is clearly a damn good coach-- night and day better than the garbage we've trotted out since we passed on him. . .
Which is fine if he wants to just be HC, go look at his OL … it’s Trent Williams and more classic zone-blocking dogshit. Then his scrub QB takes all the blame when they can’t pass block, I bet PFF ranks them Top 10 in pass pro without any distinction between them and a team like KC even though everything the 49ers do is based off one ******* play.

I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I’m kinda over arrogant OC’s that’r dogmatic extremists about their precious system.

[Simple Jaded]

There’s nothing special about anyone’s system, nothing.

[R8R H8R]

I believe like others do that Mike Shanahan the GM got Mike Shanahan the coach fired. His draft picks and FA’s were getting horrible. He was reaching on guys that were borderline draftable. He was resorting to promoting guys like Slowic to DC because he was desperate, and no one credible would want to be his DC at that point because he absolutely sucked at personnel.

Whatever magic he had in his first 3-5 yrs at personnel, it was gone shortly after Elway retired. I believe Mike Shanahan is a genius at coaching, but even he needed someone with full authority when it came to personnel. So, I can understand fully why Elway wouldn’t be too enthused about giving his son that much power.

One last thing, The 49ers had the chance to draft Mahomes in 2017, and passed. They could have drafted him with #3, after getting a boat load from the Bears, but decided to draft Solomon Thomas instead. How much did that blunder change NFL history?

[Northman]

Incorrect. It was obvious that Kyle was a winner and the kind of guy you want leading your organization. I said so at the time, so you can save your hot takes for the proletariat


How many playoff games has he won with scrub QBs since he's been there? How many have we won?


Some great takes in here. What if it backfires? Who'd want another Shanny-type experience? What's the guy ever won? Really? With the knowledge of what the Broncos have done in that time span? Ridiculous.


how many has anyone won besides belichick the last two decades? winning super bowls is friggin' hard. . . pete carroll has one, sean payton has one, andy reid has one. . . if winning a super bowl (not getting there, not winning in the playoffs) is the only measure of success, then trent dilfer was a better QB than dan marino and dan fouts. . . that's just piss-poor logic. . . mini-shanny is clearly a damn good coach-- night and day better than the garbage we've trotted out since we passed on him. . .


https://cdn.cdnparenting.com/articles/2018/06/82399513-H.webp

[dogfish]

Which is fine if he wants to just be HC, go look at his OL … it’s Trent Williams and more classic zone-blocking dogshit. Then his scrub QB takes all the blame when they can’t pass block, I bet PFF ranks them Top 10 in pass pro without any distinction between them and a team like KC even though everything the 49ers do is based off one ******* play.

I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I’m kinda over arrogant OC’s that’r dogmatic extremists about their precious system.

so mini-shanny sucks because of his OL?

[slim]

Ha! Ease up on the “winning” cliche. You and Shanatan Jr needed a miracle finish the last two 49er games to NOT be LoL’ed for this take. Easy big shifter.

I can live with that.

#winning

[pnbronco]

And if it backfires then what?

Which is why John because GM because he was cleaning up McD mess of being coach and GM. McD demolished the O and had horrible draft picks with no one to tell him bad idea. It hadn’t been that long since we went through that so I can see why it was a issue.

[Tned]

Which is why John because GM because he was cleaning up McD mess of being coach and GM. McD demolished the O and had horrible draft picks with no one to tell him bad idea. It hadn’t been that long since we went through that so I can see why it was a issue.

After Shanny, Mr. B said he would no longer give a coach full control. McD hired, and there is an in house feud, and McD wins and gets full control of the roster and burns it to the ground.

Is there any wonder Elway didn't want to give Kyle, another rookie HC like McDaniels, full control?

[Elevation inc]

Typical......Shit is hilarious were on our 4th coach in 7 years, 3rd in the last 4 and were sitting here bashing Kyle who has taken his team to a SB and a NFC championship with Jimmy G, had his team competitive with Mullens and CJ Bethard, has a tight knit LR and staff and had one of the most injured rosters and a injured starting QB during his so called rough patch and Denver fans talking smack about Kyle LMAO LMAO LMAO.......

[Elevation inc]

There’s nothing special about anyone’s system, nothing.

This is true, but Shanny Jr. has proven to be a very good coach who adapts to the adversity of a season and keeps his team competitive no matter what. SF isn't soft like Denver and they give good teams fits regularly. One SB appearance and 2 NFC championship appearances in the last 4 years. God where do I sign up for that......Lets not also forget with Jimmy G's injury history they had a back-up plan to develop and draft a top QB prospect. We could have used a guy like him. I get the hesitancy of John to pull the trigger but the end result is he ****** up.

[Northman]

Someone nailed it a while back when they said Bronco fans are spoiled, very spoiled. Lol

[Rosebus]

I believe like others do that Mike Shanahan the GM got Mike Shanahan the coach fired. His draft picks and FA’s were getting horrible. He was reaching on guys that were borderline draftable. He was resorting to promoting guys like Slowic to DC because he was desperate, and no one credible would want to be his DC at that point because he absolutely sucked at personnel.

Whatever magic he had in his first 3-5 yrs at personnel, it was gone shortly after Elway retired. I believe Mike Shanahan is a genius at coaching, but even he needed someone with full authority when it came to personnel. So, I can understand fully why Elway wouldn’t be too enthused about giving his son that much power.

One last thing, The 49ers had the chance to draft Mahomes in 2017, and passed. They could have drafted him with #3, after getting a boat load from the Bears, but decided to draft Solomon Thomas instead. How much did that blunder change NFL history?

Probably on par with passing on josh Allen for Bradley Chubb.

[Hawgdriver]

Typical......Shit is hilarious were on our 4th coach in 7 years, 3rd in the last 4 and were sitting here bashing Kyle who has taken his team to a SB and a NFC championship with Jimmy G, had his team competitive with Mullens and CJ Bethard, has a tight knit LR and staff and had one of the most injured rosters and a injured starting QB during his so called rough patch and Denver fans talking smack about Kyle LMAO LMAO LMAO.......

Yeah. And during those four years you could argue the Broncos best segment was a result of the Shanahan disciple...who is himself headed toward an AFCCG.

[Hawgdriver]

After Shanny, Mr. B said he would no longer give a coach full control. McD hired, and there is an in house feud, and McD wins and gets full control of the roster and burns it to the ground.

Is there any wonder Elway didn't want to give Kyle, another rookie HC like McDaniels, full control?

It's important context that helps us understand the mistake. Still a mistake.

[King87]

When I read the article it seemed doomed from the start.

If the HC wants to be the GM's boss (Lynch technically answers to KS in SF) and the GM doesn't want to give up their power--especially with the weird ownership and Ellis thing going on--that's impossible.

If the HC thinks the roster needs to be rebuilt, and the GM doesn't, what exactly are you going to do? Elway was all-in on the roster and wanted to avoid a rebuild at all costs. Which, to be honest, shook out to be wrong, better draft classes later in his tenure helped get this awesome Roster Denver has. But, that's just another massive barrier between the two.

[Tned]

When I read the article it seemed doomed from the start.

If the HC wants to be the GM's boss (Lynch technically answers to KS in SF) and the GM doesn't want to give up their power--especially with the weird ownership and Ellis thing going on--that's impossible.

If the HC thinks the roster needs to be rebuilt, and the GM doesn't, what exactly are you going to do? Elway was all-in on the roster and wanted to avoid a rebuild at all costs. Which, to be honest, shook out to be wrong, better draft classes later in his tenure helped get this awesome Roster Denver has. But, that's just another massive barrier between the two.

This is what happened with McDaniels. He was hired as a HC only, because Mr. B said he would never give another HC the power that Mike Shanahan had.

Then, McDaniels and Jim Goodman (Broncos GM) and Goodman's brother, scouting or something, I can't remember, butted heads and disagreed, and Mr. B. opted to go with McDaniels and the Goodmans were out, even though less than a year earlier, he said he would never give an HC full control. Bryan Xanders came in as GM, but it was in name only, as McDaniels at that point had full control of the roster, and proceeded to burn it to the ground.

In recent years, I've read that McDaniels has reflected on his time, and realizes now that he should have listened more to Xanders input, or his coaches (might have been McCoy at that time, can't remember and drawing a blank on the DC), but at the time, he thought he knew better than all of them.

It's important to understand that backdrop, and the bad ending to the Shanny regime and then them hiring McDaniels as HC only, but after he made a move, and won, to take full control, and how badly that went, to understand why Elway, and likely Ellis, but it appears to have been Elway's call, weren't willing to give another hotshot OC, getting his first HC job, full control of the roster.

[King87]

This is what happened with McDaniels. He was hired as a HC only, because Mr. B said he would never give another HC the power that Mike Shanahan had.

Then, McDaniels and Jim Goodman (Broncos GM) and Goodman's brother, scouting or something, I can't remember, butted heads and disagreed, and Mr. B. opted to go with McDaniels and the Goodmans were out, even though less than a year earlier, he said he would never give an HC full control. Bryan Xanders came in as GM, but it was in name only, as McDaniels at that point had full control of the roster, and proceeded to burn it to the ground.

In recent years, I've read that McDaniels has reflected on his time, and realizes now that he should have listened more to Xanders input, or his coaches (might have been McCoy at that time, can't remember and drawing a blank on the DC), but at the time, he thought he knew better than all of them.

It's important to understand that backdrop, and the bad ending to the Shanny regime and then them hiring McDaniels as HC only, but after he made a move, and won, to take full control, and how badly that went, to understand why Elway, and likely Ellis, but it appears to have been Elway's call, weren't willing to give another hotshot OC, getting his first HC job, full control of the roster.

I remember the Goodmans and that power struggle. God, they seem such distant figures and so long ago.

[Tned]

I remember the Goodmans and that power struggle. God, they seem such distant figures and so long ago.

Yea, but I bet not so distant a memory that Elway wasn't willing to roll the dice on giving Kyle full control, which at that time, would be Elway giving up "his" role as GM, and ceding that to Kyle. In hindsight, bringing in a GM like Paton, sooner, likely would have been smart, but I understand why Elway wasn't willing to go their with Kyle.

By the way, this is me saying this as someone who REALLY wanted them to hire Kyle as HC.

[slim]

Buff's straw hat/Goodman troll was one of my favorites.

[aberdien]

https://twitter.com/PSchrags/status/1485279849145061379?s=20

[slim]

https://twitter.com/PSchrags/status/1485279849145061379?s=20

Thank God we didn't bring that garbage to Denver!!

#leaderofmen

[Davii]

Incorrect. It was obvious that Kyle was a winner and the kind of guy you want leading your organization. I said so at the time, so you can save your hot takes for the proletariat

I agree with your take Slim, I wanted Kyle when we were searching as well. However, I think I also would've balked at Kyle getting full control of the roster and all personnel decisions back then. In hindsight maybe not, but I think at the moment I would've. He wasn't a proven HC, he wasn't a proven talent evaluator, and I don't believe he ever worked as a scout, etc.

Sure, hindsight being 20/20 he and Lynch are doing a good job with it, but with the information available at the time of passing I understand the call. Damn near EVERYONE on this board wanted nothing to do with a coach who had control of everything after Mike, nevermind the debacle that followed with McD. Everyone wanted a GM, even if it wasn't Elway, calling the personnel shots. Let coaches coach, let GMs go get the guys that fit what the coach wants/needs, etc.

[slim]

I agree with your take Slim, I wanted Kyle when we were searching as well. However, I think I also would've balked at Kyle getting full control of the roster and all personnel decisions back then. In hindsight maybe not, but I think at the moment I would've. He wasn't a proven HC, he wasn't a proven talent evaluator, and I don't believe he ever worked as a scout, etc.

Sure, hindsight being 20/20 he and Lynch are doing a good job with it, but with the information available at the time of passing I understand the call. Damn near EVERYONE on this board wanted nothing to do with a coach who had control of everything after Mike, nevermind the debacle that followed with McD. Everyone wanted a GM, even if it wasn't Elway, calling the personnel shots. Let coaches coach, let GMs go get the guys that fit what the coach wants/needs, etc.

I get it. But the thing that bothers me the most is that VJ was preordained. John wanted him and nothing was going to change his mind.


The bottom line is maybe Kyle shouldn't have asked for control, but I don't think that was the deciding factor. John wanted VJ. Period. I mean, just look at the list of candidates they interviewed....Kyle, VJ and the ST coach from KC? Are you freaking kidding me? It wasn't a legit search and I don't think there is an argument otherwise.

BTW, I admit that I am biased, but I will take any coach that studied under Mike. Full stop. No hesitation. I think his coaching tree supports this and folks that can't see it are trying too hard to be the smartest guy in the room.

[Tned]

I get it. But the thing that bothers me the most is that VJ was preordained. John wanted him and nothing was going to change his mind.


The bottom line is maybe Kyle shouldn't have asked for control, but I don't think that was the deciding factor. John wanted VJ. Period. I mean, just look at the list of candidates they interviewed....Kyle, VJ and the ST coach from KC? Are you freaking kidding me? It wasn't a legit search and I don't think there is an argument otherwise.

BTW, I admit that I am biased, but I will take any coach that studied under Mike. Full stop. No hesitation. I think his coaching tree supports this and folks that can't see it are trying too hard to be the smartest guy in the room.

I was so in the tank and wanted Kyle at the time. I loved what he had done in Atlanta and wanted to see his zone blocking offense here.

[slim]

I was so in the tank and wanted Kyle at the time. I loved what he had done in Atlanta and wanted to see his zone blocking offense here.

A good buddy of mine if a big Falcon fan. When Kyle left, I told him he was in for some hard times. He laughed at me!

He stopped laughing pretty quickly!!!

[Davii]

I get it. But the thing that bothers me the most is that VJ was preordained. John wanted him and nothing was going to change his mind.


The bottom line is maybe Kyle shouldn't have asked for control, but I don't think that was the deciding factor. John wanted VJ. Period. I mean, just look at the list of candidates they interviewed....Kyle, VJ and the ST coach from KC? Are you freaking kidding me? It wasn't a legit search and I don't think there is an argument otherwise.

BTW, I admit that I am biased, but I will take any coach that studied under Mike. Full stop. No hesitation. I think his coaching tree supports this and folks that can't see it are trying too hard to be the smartest guy in the room.

On this we’re in full agreement. Not only was VJ a poor choice but the entire process was flawed and I don’t believe Kyle would’ve been hired short of VJ making himself look like an absolute idiot in the interview process, it was his job to lose from the outset

[Tned]

On this we’re in full agreement. Not only was VJ a poor choice but the entire process was flawed and I don’t believe Kyle would’ve been hired short of VJ making himself look like an absolute idiot in the interview process, it was his job to lose from the outset

And this is why you, unlike VJ, are a leader of men!

[slim]

On this we’re in full agreement. Not only was VJ a poor choice but the entire process was flawed and I don’t believe Kyle would’ve been hired short of VJ making himself look like an absolute idiot in the interview process, it was his job to lose from the outset

Wait, my post was poorly worded.

I would hire any offensive minded coach that studied under Mike.

I have no interest in hiring Bob Slowik!!!

[pnbronco]

I was really depressed at the time that VJ was hired and not Kyle. I even posted that when it all happened. However I didn't know that Kyle asked for full control and given that Mr. B said never again and what happened with McD I understand. Plus SF promised him anything he wanted right up front so we were not in the running from his side either.

John has been with the Broncos for a long, long time and a significant piece to our history. Could any of you tell him thanks John for coming in after the organization was demolished but now you have to answer to the kid you use to see running around the facility?

[Mozzafiato]

This is an outstanding read. Definitely check it out.

1486330490051256328

[7DnBrnc53]

It's funny how Mike told his son to try to get full control. That is why the Broncos declined after Elway retired and Davis got hurt.

Bowlen is praised by many, but he made more bad moves than you think. For example, he should have let Shanny go to Florida (to replace the Ol' Ball Coach) after the 2001 season, but he told him to stay and clean up his mess. Big mistake. Shanahan wasn't as into the job after the SB wins. It's too bad that Pat couldn't see that.

He also should have sold the team in the late 00's instead of putting it in the hands of the trust and having a fantasy that his kids would run it someday. That was misguided.