The Denver Broncos are 3-2 and have a chance to finish well, but what if you-know-what hits the fan? What if in-season changes are made?
Nobody wants the Denver Broncos to have to make in-season changes at head coach, offensive coordinator, or otherwise. Okay, maybe Broncos Country is pretty unanimous in agreement that special teams coordinator Tom McMahon should be replaced, but other than that, and possibly even including that, everyone wants to see this Broncos team figure out a way to win enough games to get to the postseason in 2021.
The likeliest path to the postseason probably doesn’t involve in-season coaching changes, specifically when you’re talking about firing the head coach (who is also the defensive play caller) and/or offensive coordinator.
After two straight losses validating what many were saying about the Denver Broncos potentially being “pretenders” after a 3-0 start, however, the difficult questions must be asked.
Broncos in-house candidates if coaches are getting fired
Just to play the hypothetical game, what if Vic Fangio and Pat Shurmur are fired in-season? Who would replace them?
Here is what I would do if it were up to me.
1. Mike Munchak (OL coach) replaces Vic Fangio as head coach
Back in 2019 when the Denver Broncos were courting potential head coaches, there was a time when Mike Munchak was considered the favorite for the job.
It wasn’t until an interview with Vic Fangio that blew John Elway away that Fangio took the lead down the final leg of the race.
Until Fangio’s interview and even before the interview process began, Munchak was considered the favorite.
He’s been an NFL head coach before (Titans) and is one of the most respected and decorated offensive line coaches in the game. A Hall of Fame player himself, Munchak would undoubtedly be the most natural option in-house to transition to a head coaching position if the Broncos move on from Fangio in the middle of the season.