Oct 27, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
As a lifelong fan of the Denver Broncos, I have always been a huge fan of Mike Shanahan. It was Shanahan who came back to Denver to get the Broncos over the hump. It was his offense, and his guidance, that made it possible for John Elway to win two Super Bowls at the end of his career. Mike Shanahan is one of the most important figures in Denver Broncos history.
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Nothing lasts forever, and when it was time for Shanahan to leave, he did so with dignity. He did what he could with a joke of a franchise in Washington, D.C. He had his ups and downs, and his time in DC was not great, but he is still considered to be a very good head coaching candidate for the jobs that are out there.
Of course, the teams that see to be perfect fits for Shanahan are Chicago and San Francisco. The Bears offer him a chance to reunite with Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, and a small shot at completing what may feel like unfinished business. The 49ers are where Shanahan became a great offensive coach. He comes out of the Bill Walsh coaching tree, and San Francisco has a solid team that is built to win now.
Shanahan wanted nothing more than to embarrass the Raiders every time they played.
There are other opportunities out there for Shanahan, but the strangest news that has come from the coaching carousel is the news that John Madden sat in on Shanahan’s meeting with Mark Davis and the Oakland Raiders. I am forced to wonder, why is Shanahan even talking to the Raiders?
If you don’t know the story, Al Davis hired Shanahan away from the Broncos to be their head coach in 1988. Davis then fired Shanahan 4 games into the 1989 season. There were contract disputes, lawsuits, and general hatred as the fallout. Shanahan wanted nothing more than to embarrass the Raiders every time they played. As a fan, that is what I wanted to.
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Now, the news of Shanahan even listening to the Raiders has given me indigestion. I can’t fathom the idea of Mike Shanahan putting on the silver and black again. John Madden sitting in on the meetings makes it even worse. Most Bronco fans would probably feel ill seeing the coach that won two Super Bowls in Denver on the sidelines for the hated Raiders.
I can’t speak for everyone in Bronco Country, but should Mike Shanahan be swayed into taking the job in Oakland I am not sure I could forgive that. I would never fault a man for making career decisions. However, I do not think I could respect that decision.
There is a bad taste in my mouth just thinking about the fat man, John Madden, trying to convince Mike Shanahan that the Raiders would be a good place to go. It feels gross. I do not think Shanahan will end up with Oakland, but if he does Bronco Country will probably collectively vomit.