Denver Broncos: Mike Munchak gets endorsement from Big Ben

The Denver Broncos are searching for a new head coach, and Pittsburgh Steelers OL coach Mike Munchak is a leading candidate.

The Denver Broncos’ head coaching candidates are going through or getting ready to go through the interview process. One candidate who seems to have a pretty good shot at the job is former Tennessee Titans head coach and longtime NFL offensive line coach Mike Munchak.

Munchak took over the Titans in 2011 and let go after three seasons of underwhelming play. After things didn’t work out with the Titans, Munchak took the position of offensive line coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he has helped develop one of the NFL’s best offensive lines.

Because of how good Munchak’s offensive line has been, it’s no surprise that he is a highly coveted coach of Ben Roethlisberger, the player being kept upright game in and game out by Munchak’s linemen.

"“That’s the one that makes me nervous is the Denver job because of his family. I think the linemen, we’re all gonna try to get his family move back to Pittsburgh to get him not to leave.”Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (via 247 Sports)"

When Roethlisberger talks about Munchak’s ‘family’, he’s speaking of one of his daughters and grandchildren who live in the Denver area.

There’s not going to be a stronger motivation for a coach to try and get a specific job than to be close to his daughter and grandchild.

The Broncos aren’t in this situation to do anyone any favors, but Munchak is a strong candidate for the job anyway and his family ties in the Denver area simply add extra motivation for him to go and win the job. This article full of quotes from Ben Roethlisberger seems to indicate the Steelers quarterback really feels like Munchak is in line to get the Denver job.

If the Broncos want Gary Kubiak in a prominent offensive role, as has been rumored, a candidate like Munchak makes a lot of sense in that regard as well. Munchak is not a play caller, so he would need to bring a strong coordinator on both sides of the ball with him.

The Broncos and John Elway specifically stated they coveted experience in this coaching search, and approaching 40 years in the NFL as a player and coach, Munchak certainly has it. He also fits Elway’s desire for a head coach with a specific area of expertise, perhaps as the best offensive line coach in the game.