The search continues for the next head coach of the Denver Broncos.
Broncos general manager George Paton has already set up the first round of interviews and the team has as many as 10 candidates currently on its list.
While it is quite possible for the team’s next head coach to come from that list, it’s also possible that it won’t. That list also includes some coaches I feel that the team should avoid.
So let’s say that Paton interviews all 10 of these guys and he is either torn or just hasn’t heard the magic words that he is looking to hear. Let’s suppose that he casts his line out even further. Who are some outside-the-box names that he could catch?
Some of the names on this list might lead you to scoff or roll your eyes, but this is as important a decision that this franchise has had in quite some time, so why not exhaust all options?
With that in mind, here are a few names that Gannon could also consider for the next head coach of the Broncos. All three of these guys currently have one thing in common.
Matt Campbell, Head Coach, Iowa State
Matt Campbell’s name has been attached to NFL teams for the last handful of years and there is a good reason why… he is a leader.
Campbell has been very loyal to an Iowa State program that has been in a bowl game in each of the last five seasons which included winning the Fiesta Bowl in 2020. Campbell has completely turned that program around and regularly has his team competing with the top teams in the Big 12, where he is a three-time coach of the year.
Campbell has been in coaching for nearly 20 years and a head coach since 2012. After posting a 35-15 record at Toledo, he came to Ames and has not only made the Cyclones into a solid program but has gotten the respect of his peers in both the college and professional ranks.
Some reports have indicated that the Detroit Lions zeroed in on Campbell last year and that he turned down a massive offer from them, but other reports have suggested there was no formal offer. One way or another, there was likely interest on Detroit’s part.
The Broncos are one of the most attractive vacancies in the league and if Campbell were ready to make the leap to the pros, Denver might be the perfect place to land.
Still just 42 years old, Campbell could come in and build a force for many years to come.
Lane Kiffin, Head Coach, Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin has made many coaching stops since his college playing career ended and has been on the sidelines since 1997. He was part of some great teams at USC which helped make him into one of the hottest coaching prospects out there.
Al Davis then came calling, making him the head coach of the then Oakland Raiders. That was an absolute disaster. Kiffin went 5-15 with the Raiders before being unceremoniously fired.
But rather than things getting worse for Kiffin, which certainly seemed bound to happen, he took various jobs to work his way into a prime position once again. It seems that he has now done that.
Kiffin has spent the last two years coaching the University of Mississippi and he had the Rebels ranked in the top 10 this year.
It seems that he has now repaired his image and perhaps, that could leave an NFL team to take a shot.
Kiffin has always had a good, creative mind for offense and he could be the kind of guy who could come in and inject some life into Denver’s long-stagnant offense. Perhaps the team would even consider taking Matt Corral in the upcoming draft if he could be paired with Kiffin.
Corral and Kiffin were together at Ole Miss. In the last two seasons, Corral threw for 6,680 yards and 49 touchdown passes. He ran for another 15 scores and many analysts see him as a first-round pick in the draft.
It would be quite unlikely for the Broncos to reach out to Kiffin, who may not ever want to go back to the NFL, but if he is up for it, it’s an idea worth talking about.
Jim Harbaugh, Head Coach, Michigan
We have discussed Jim Harbaugh becoming the Broncos’ coach before and though him leaving his post at the University of Michigan doesn’t seem to be in the cards, Harbaugh’s name is starting to float around the NFL circle.
Whether that is because he is looking for more money from Michigan or if he truly desires to return to the professional ranks remains to be seen. But Harbaugh coming to Denver would be the “big splash” move that would create a lot of buzz.
Harbaugh was tremendous in his lone NFL coaching experience from 2011-14 with the San Francisco 49ers, going 44-19-1 during his tenure and taking the Niners to the NFC Championship in three consecutive years while also reaching Super Bowl XLVII.
He recently took the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff as one of the four best teams in the country, losing to eventual champion Georgia.
If Harbaugh really does want to come back to the pros, potentially every team with a vacancy would want to take a look. However, the Broncos are one of the most attractive spots.
Harbaugh, who played quarterback in the NFL for 15 seasons, could do wonders with a guy like Drew Lock or any quarterback the Broncos chose to bring in.
Though this move is unlikely, it is certainly an outside-the-box thought for Paton and one that he would absolutely have to consider if there was interest from the Harbaugh side.