Broncos Fire Shanahan

[Jasman0717 9]

DENVER (AP) - Mike Shanahan, the second longest-tenured NFL coach, was fired by the Denver Broncos on Tuesday after the team lost a three-game lead with three games to go in the AFC West.

Shanahan, 56, coached the Broncos since 1995, behind only Tennessee's Jeff Fisher in tenure with one team. He led the Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1998 and 1999 and compiled a record of 146-89 with the team.

This season, the Broncos had an 8-5 record but lost their final three, including a 52-21 defeat Sunday night in San Diego that gave the Chargers the division title. They are the first NFL team to blow a three-game lead with three games to go.

He also was dismissed as director of football operations.

Shanahan, who also served as offensive coordinator in Denver and San Francisco and was head coach of the Raiders in 1988 and for the first four games of 1989, has been regarded as one of the league's best offensive minds.

But the Broncos failed this season on defense, allowing 448 points, third worst in the NFL. They were 29th, or fourth worst, in yards allowed.

Shanahan had three years left on his contract, worth about $20 million. His firing is likely to put him in demand by other teams that have fired coaches: the New York Jets, Detroit, and Cleveland.

[mox 298]

As a native Denverite, this is sad to see. I like Mike, but aside from the 2 superbowl victories 10 years ago, he hasn't really done much for the Broncos since then.

He won't have to worry about work though, somebody will scoop him up. He could really turn Detroit around just like he turned the Broncos around after the disastrous Dan Reeves era.

[Yoink 7]

piss poor defense for years... which is why the defense coordinator was fired each of the last couple seasons... Cutler being a franchise guy needs to be mentored more and Shanahan isnt that guy.

Plus the success of the rookie coaches this year... Miami, Atlanta, etc. makes owners think

[Jasman0717 9]

As a native Denverite, this is sad to see. I like Mike, but aside from the 2 superbowl victories 10 years ago, he hasn't really done much for the Broncos since then.

He won't have to worry about work though, somebody will scoop him up. He could really turn Detroit around just like he turned the Broncos around after the disastrous Dan Reeves era.

thats for sure, one of the other teams who fired their coach will snap him up in a minute.

I hated Dan Reeves. I thought for sure Denver was going to be the only 0-5 team in Super Bowl history. I was so happy to see them, lead by big John, beat the Pack.

Do you remember when Ray Malavasi (later to be the Rams coach) coached Denver? How about Lou Saban and Red Miller. John Ralston took them to their first winning season in 1973 and Red got them to the Super Bowl at the end of the 77 season with an old Dallas quarterback named Craig Morton.

piss poor defense for years... which is why the defense coordinator was fired each of the last couple seasons... Cutler being a franchise guy needs to be mentored more and Shanahan isnt that guy.

Plus the success of the rookie coaches this year... Miami, Atlanta, etc. makes owners think

Its funny because the first 15 years of the franchise that is the only thing Denver had, with the exception of Floyd Little

[mox 298]

Do you remember when Ray Malavasi (later to be the Rams coach) coached Denver? How about Lou Saban and Red Miller. John Ralston took them to their first winning season in 1973 and Red got them to the Super Bowl at the end of the 77 season with an old Dallas quarterback named Craig Morton.

Malavasi was before my time, but I do remember the Red Miller days. Back in the original Orange Crush days. That '77 Superbowl was a hard pill to swallow, as were the Reeves Superbowls.

Cool John Elway story: My mom was one of the original Pony Express cheerleaders. A few years ago we were celebrating her birthday at John Elway's new restaurant in Denver, and we reserved one of the private dining rooms. The waitress overheard us talking about my mom being on the original Pony Express, and that she was a huge Elway fan. (seriously, she's fanatical, down to even buying her cars exclusively at Elway dealerships) About 5 minutes later, John Elway walks into the room, asks to see the birthday girl, and proceeded to chat with her for about 20 minutes, until our dinner came. It was the best birthday present she could have asked for. We got pictures of her with him, and he gave her a signed autograph. All I got her was a crappy gift certificate.

[The_Dude 1,142]

As a lifelong Raider fan, I take exquisite pleasure in each and every Bronco failure. Muahahahahahahahaha

I always respected Shanahan though, not as a coach though. As a first rate pain in Al Davis' a$$. He continues his lawsuit against Al Davis for his 1989 termination and still claims that he is owed his salary for his contract.

[mox 298]

As a lifelong Raider fan, I take exquisite pleasure in each and every Bronco failure. Muahahahahahahahaha

Hehehe! I live in the bay area these days, and still cannot bring myself to root for the Raiders. It's like a dagger to my heart every time I see a Raiders bumper sticker, jacket, ballcap, etc.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I live in los angeles.... each and every Charger jersey or bumper sticker is like a knife to my heart. Raider fans are tough, mean people, and the Chargers are... well, they have powder blue uniforms, need I say more? Since Elway retired, the Broncos have had no heart or will to come back. Cutler is talented and has a lot of potential, but he has no heart. Kinda like JaMarcus Russell, but with a weaker arm

[Jasman0717 9]

Do you remember when Ray Malavasi (later to be the Rams coach) coached Denver? How about Lou Saban and Red Miller. John Ralston took them to their first winning season in 1973 and Red got them to the Super Bowl at the end of the 77 season with an old Dallas quarterback named Craig Morton.

Malavasi was before my time, but I do remember the Red Miller days. Back in the original Orange Crush days. That '77 Superbowl was a hard pill to swallow, as were the Reeves Superbowls.

Cool John Elway story: My mom was one of the original Pony Express cheerleaders. A few years ago we were celebrating her birthday at John Elway's new restaurant in Denver, and we reserved one of the private dining rooms. The waitress overheard us talking about my mom being on the original Pony Express, and that she was a huge Elway fan. (seriously, she's fanatical, down to even buying her cars exclusively at Elway dealerships) About 5 minutes later, John Elway walks into the room, asks to see the birthday girl, and proceeded to chat with her for about 20 minutes, until our dinner came. It was the best birthday present she could have asked for. We got pictures of her with him, and he gave her a signed autograph. All I got her was a crappy gift certificate.

Great story. Elway is the man! At least in Denver I am just thankful I got to see them win a Super Bowl or two. Those first four were tough to swallow. Denver should have beaten Dallas in 77 but guess they just got too nervous. There were some great players on that team like Lyle Alzado, Randy Gradishar and Tommy Jackson. I loved the AFC championship game because they beat the Raiders. I figure the Broncos can go 2-14 and have a successful season if the two wins are the Raiders!

[The_Dude 1,142]

They always beat the raiders? Yet somehow we have more Superbowl Trophies

[mox 298]

And of course no Broncos thread can be complete without a mention of...THE DRIVE.

I don't know about you guys but I was hoarse for a week after that.

[Jasman0717 9]

As a lifelong Raider fan, I take exquisite pleasure in each and every Bronco failure. Muahahahahahahahaha

I always respected Shanahan though, not as a coach though. As a first rate pain in Al Davis' a$$. He continues his lawsuit against Al Davis for his 1989 termination and still claims that he is owed his salary for his contract.

I think Bronco fans feel the same about the Raiders! It has been a wonderful several years in a row for us! John Madden was fun to watch coach! Too bad he can't fly

And of course no Broncos thread can be complete without a mention of...THE DRIVE.

I don't know about you guys but I was hoarse for a week after that.

Which year against Cleveland

[mox 298]

Which year against Cleveland

As far as I'm concerned, there's only one THE DRIVE, and it was the first one. It was always exciting after that too, but that first time was just magic. Somebody sent me a Youtube or something of it one time, but I couldn't bring myself to watch it. I'm sure the reality isn't near as exciting as my memory.

Bernie Kosar though...gotta hand it to that guy. Those were the days when a 3rd grader could outrun you, and you could still be a stellar quarterback.

[RadzNSteve 0]

I like Shanahan and think he was a good coach. Thats why as a Raider fan im glad to see him gone from Denver.

[William33 110]

Shanahan is an effective coach and will find another opportunity.

Meanwhile, head coach Herm Edwards of the Kansas City Chiefs is now on the ropes. The overbearing GM (Carl Peterson) was ousted a month ago, which was a good call. He was effective in the 90's, but no more.

Not sure that firing Herm is the right call at this stage.