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Comparing Broncos coaching candidates

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 2, 2009 at 4:22 p.m.
Updated January 2, 2009 at 4:22 p.m.

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Poll

Of the first wave of candidates scheduled to interview for Broncos coach, who looks most promising?


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Rocky Mountain News NFL reporter Jeff Legwold surveyed general managers and personnel executives Friday on the strengths and weaknesses of the first wave of candidates to be interviewed for the Broncos’ head coaching job. The executives requested anonymity, but here’s a consenus of what they had to say:

Steve Spagnuolo, Giants defensive coordinator

Strengths: Proven record as an assistant coach and coordinator. Players speak highly of him, even after they go to another team. Runs an aggressive scheme and became a white-hot prospect after the Giants battered Tom Brady in last year’s Super Bowl. One GM said: “You can’t ignore that in the biggest game.”

Weaknesses: Never has been a head coach. Former college receiver would have to sell future employer on his offensive plans.

Raheem Morris, Buccaneers defensive coordinator

Strengths: The guy is going places, and everybody knows it. Players like Ronde Barber say they see him as a head coach in waiting, and many have compared his career curve to that of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Weaknesses: Just 32 years old and never has called plays on either side of the ball. Was just named Bucs’ defensive coordinator late last month. Executives said he is still a quality candidate because of his high-end people skills, but he would need to surround himself with plenty of experience while still making it clear he’s the boss.

Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator

Strengths: Has three Super Bowl rings as part of Patriots personnel department and coaching staff. Considered a quality quarterbacks coach, having worked with Tom Brady and Matt Cassel.

Weaknesses: He, too, is 32. And the Patriots’ operation is so Bill Belichick-driven that he would have to show his plan and how he would implement it. Recent firings of former Belichick assistants Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini are being cited as examples.

Bob Stoops, University of Oklahoma head coach

Strengths: Proven commodity in terms of dealing with the attention and public responsibilities of a head coach. Though he’s a defensive coach, executives cited his high-powered offense as a drawing point as well.

Weaknesses: College-to-pro experiment has not gone well in recent years — Steve Spurrier, Nick Saban and Bobby Petrino were quickly cited. One personnel director said, “That’s a risk when it might take $6 million (a year) just to get his attention.”

Jason Garrett, Cowboys offensive coordinator

Strengths: By all accounts, he relates well with players, is intelligent and has worked on the hot seat of a drama-filled team.

Weaknesses: Most felt that if Jerry Jones believed Garrett was ready for a head coaching job he would have fired Wade Phillips to promote Garrett already. Garrett also is one of the NFL’s highest-paid coordinators at $3 million.

Comments

  • January 2, 2009

    5:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Excellent point about Garrett. If he was so good, why isn't Jones making him HC? Don't send us your scraps. God, Bowlen, what the hell are you thinking?

  • January 2, 2009

    5:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AKuser writes:

    Stoops has coached 90% of his games with far superior talent then the his opponent and has got blown out in many of the games he has faced teams with similar talent, no thanks. Garrett is hated by Cowboy fans, no thanks as well. Spanoulo would be the best of this list and if not him McDaniels or Morris if they hire some experienced and proven coordinators.

  • January 2, 2009

    6:34 p.m.

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    SteveC writes:

    I think Stoops is a great college coach, but I'm not so sure he would make it as a pro coach. Garrett, maybe. Let's face it, sometimes Jones' ego gets in the way of his doing what is right for the team, i.e. TO. The others I'm not sure about. Thank God I'm not in Bowlens shoes right now, having to replace a legend won't be easy.
    I've heard a lot of talk that the Broncs need to find a defensive minded coach. I don't necessarily agree with that opinion. I think that whoever they bring in needs to find a strong D coordinator and get him the players he needs and give him the time to implement his strategy. I said it before Shanahan got axed that bringing in a new coordinator every year was counterproductive and I stand by that. We need somebody who the players know will be here next year and will be given time to make it work.
    BTW, Dave, my modem fried out so I never heard how your Mom was, everything OK?

  • January 2, 2009

    6:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FTR writes:

    NO STOOPS!!!
    FTR

  • January 2, 2009

    7:18 p.m.

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    billmach writes:

    Heres a sad truth.
    It will most likely be stoops because bowlen loves the guy and thinks of him like he did Shanny when he hired him.
    the sad part of this is stoops will set back this team 5yrs and we wont see a winning season until bowlen figures it was a mistake.
    what we would like to see is Spagnuolo or McDaniels and that would be the right choice
    but i really feel that homer bowlen will go with the worst choice due to friendship and that will sadly ruin this team for yrs

  • January 2, 2009

    7:43 p.m.

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    Dynamicdave writes:

    SteveC, my moms still in the hospital. She had a touch of pneumonia but they have her temperature back down. She still is bleeding somewhere inside but haven't found it yet. More tests tomorrow. Thanks for asking, brother.
    Now, to business. I'm afraid if we get an offensive minded HC, he will try to change the offense too much, with his own ideas. Kind of like a rat to cheese. Tweak it, fine, but leave the core intact. A defensive coach is better. He will oversee the defensive coordinator and his decisions. Two good defensive minds working together. Get the D up and running like a machine asap. The O is already running well. Let them be. Even a defensive HC knows O to a large degree. He can help, but leave them to what's been working, while throwing in an idea or two of his own.

    Billmach, don't be so sure about Stoops. I think Spagnuolo is the strongest choice in Bowlens radar. But, we aren't making the big bucks to make those decisions. We're just here for the ride.

  • January 2, 2009

    8:03 p.m.

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    azis1100 writes:

    Steve Spagnuolo - coach
    Big Tuna - GM

    Thank you,
    That is all~

  • January 3, 2009

    10:46 a.m.

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    xxxlibertine writes:

    The best candidate for the job is right under their noses. Promote Rick Dennison to Head Coach. This practically guarantees continued success and continuity to the offense. Dennison spent his playing career as a Denver Bronco linebacker. He knows how to revitalize the defense and I have no doubt he could get the job done there.

  • January 3, 2009

    11:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mr_Ed writes:

    Spags would be a great choice if 1) He'd leave the offensive staff mostly in place (there needs to be some changes there as well, just not wholesale). 2) Bowlen hires a really good GM. I don't know how much Goodman had to do with the recent draft, but if he did, maybe give him a chance at the GM job. I don't like any of the other HC choices. Too many questions for so much money.

  • January 3, 2009

    1:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    vieng111 writes:

    I've posted this earlier.

    Spags - My vote is a maybe.
    Rex Ryan - My preferrence (Currently Def Cord w/Ravens)

    He's only 46 years old and has one hell of a defensive resume.

    1988 - Def Cord w/Oklahoma (6th in the nation)
    1999 - 2008 - Help Baltimore Ravens become one of the most feared defenses in the league. Baltimore has stayed in the top 5, in defense, since he was with them in '99.

    Consistantly top 2 or 3 in run, pass, and scores allowed.
    What else can you ask for in a defensive minded coach? He is the best defensive minded coach in the NFL.

    Broncos have NOT talked to him because of playoff - But, he will jump to number 1 after playoffs.

  • January 3, 2009

    2:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    xxxlibertine, I mentioned that on another article when somebody said not to consider Dennison. I think he would make a fine HC. The O trusts him and he is proven to be one of the best. He has the knowledge of defense being an ex-Broncos LB. He can toughen them up. The logical step from O coordinator would be HC. BUT, my only reason for thinking it won't happen is that he's doing a 'bang up job" where he is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Don't give him too much to worry about. Let him concentrate strictly on the O.

  • January 3, 2009

    6:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    sbrooks5280 writes:

    One thing everyone seems to be overlooking is the fact that Bowlen is an Oklahoma graduate and this may play a role in the Stoops decision, hopefully he will realize that college coaches rarely do well in the NFL due to the fact that the college game lacks the paridy of the NFL and college coaches tend to pick 60% of their schedule which allows them to set themselves up for success, in the NFL they will play good teams everyweek, regardless of record, college coaches rarely, (JIMMY JOHNSON) is the exception, deal with the pressure of the NFL. Spags is my choice as he seems to be the best choice because his scheme and defensive ideas are exactly the things that are the Broncos' weakness, pass rush and coverage! No matter who they go and get this year I expect a rough 2009 as it will take time to implement a new plan, its a business, and business rarely shows a profit in its first year!