Broncos in-house candidates to replace Fangio, others if changes made

Broncos in-house candidates if coaches are getting fired

3. Ed Donatell calls the defensive plays for Vic Fangio

Pretty much everywhere Vic Fangio has gone in the last decade, Ed Donatell has gone with him.

Fangio’s close relationship with Donatell has proven to be beneficial for both coaches and the players they have coached along the way, and the Broncos have a very good defense.

Let’s get something clear — Vic Fangio being fired in-season would certainly have nothing to do with his ability to call defensive plays. He’s tremendous at it and would have a new job almost instantaneously.

With that being said, you could argue that his relationship with Donatell potentially cost the Broncos an opportunity at keeping Brandon Staley around, at least in 2020, to groom him as a potential defensive coordinator themselves.

Who knows how that would have all turned out?

If a move at head coach does happen, the Broncos would need a new play caller. Donatell would be the most logical option, unless he decided to remain loyal to Fangio by resigning in the event that Fangio would get fired.

Behind Donatell, you would have a couple of options to consider. Notably, outside linebackers coach John Pagano has experience calling defensive plays in the past and has had some success with it.

Linebackers coach Reggie Herring has also been a defensive coordinator at the college level in the past and has been with the team since the Super Bowl 50 season.