The ax has fallen on another NFL head coach, and it comes as no surprise that Mike Shanahan is out as the Denver Broncos’ head coach after 14 seasons at the helm.
The Broncos missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but this season’s collapse was the straw that broke the camel’s back. All Denver had to do was win one game in their final three to win the AFC West, but they lost all three, surrendering the division to the San Diego Chargers.
Yeah, the luster has finally fully worn off of those two Super Bowl titles. Denver made the AFC Championship Game in 2005, but after those back-to-back Super Bowl wins, there were more playoff misses (6) than appearances (1), and in those appearances, the Broncos were 1-4.
When thinking of his replacement, the first name that comes to mind is his former offensive coordinator, current Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak. Kubiak was Shanahan’s right-hand man for 11 seasons in Denver before taking the Texans job after the 2005 season, and he was there for the two Super Bowl wins, seven playoff appearances, and a world of offensive success.
Kubiak’s record of 22-26 in three seasons as coach of the Texans isn’t stellar by any means, but back-to-back 8-8 seasons are notable when a) the Texans hadn’t had a .500 season in their first five seasons, and b) they play in the AFC South.
However, with the Texans finishing the season with five wins in six games and heading into 2009 with the outlook that next year could finally be their year, on top of the fact that he has the chance to do something special in his hometown, Kubiak may prefer the situation he’s in. If Matt Schaub is healthy, the Texans should make a serious run for at least a wild-card spot.
Still though, Pat Bowlen could give Kubiak a call just to gauge his interest, because the AFC West might offer an easier road to the postseason than the AFC South does.
Of course, whoever the next coach is will either have to be a defensive coach or have to bring in a defensive staff that will improve a porous defense that is the biggest obstacle in Denver’s way of again being a contender in the AFC.
Kubiak is under contract with the Texans and going nowhere. Besides, I think the Bronco brass is looking for a fresh change. Kubiak and Shanny were so tight that I think Kuby would bring more of the same. Now that they’ve brought the teenager Mcdaniels on it’ll be interesting to see if he can win the respect of his players. There’s no doubt that he’s got a hell of a football mind.