The Denver Broncos have a list of 10 head coach candidates already, but should they consider adding to that list with more guys?
The Denver Broncos have a lengthy list of head coach candidates already. What’s a couple more to add to it?
The team has already completed interviews with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Packers QB coach Luke Getsy, as well as Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
This week, the Broncos will have interviews with the majority of their remaining candidates, including Cowboys offensive and defensive coordinators Kellen Moore and Dan Quinn, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Patriots LB coach Jerod Mayo, Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, and Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
There are some notable candidates that are not on that list, and I want to take a look at a trio that Broncos general manager George Paton might ultimately want to consider.
Denver Broncos HC candidates to add to the current list
1. Demeco Ryans, DC, 49ers
It’s very, very odd that the Denver Broncos do not currently have anyone from the San Francisco 49ers’ staff on their list of possible head coach candidates.
For starters, the majority of this staff was together just two years ago when the team reached the Super Bowl, and now they are in the NFL’s “elite eight” again this season.
The 49ers’ defense is led by former NFL linebacker Demeco Ryans, an outstanding player once upon a time for the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles.
Ryans has taken over for the departed Robert Saleh (Jets) and he has helped the 49ers to a top-10 scoring defense, top-10 pass defense, and top-10 run defense.
Considering most people can probably only name two players on the San Francisco defense without Googling others, it’s clear that Ryans has done a tremendous job.
He is young, he’s a strong leader, and he is seemingly everything George Paton stated he would be prioritizing.
Why is this guy not on the list?
Denver Broncos additional candidate: Mike McDaniel, OC, 49ers
Speaking of the San Francisco 49ers, why is their offensive coordinator — Mike McDaniel — not being considered by George Paton?
McDaniel is an Auroria, CO native.
In 2005, he interned in Denver under Mike Shanahan. He was then hired in 2006 by Gary Kubiak in Houston at the age of 23 as an assistant.
By 2011, he was hired again in Washington by Mike Shanahan and promoted to WRs coach in 2013. He joined Kyle Shanahan in 2014 with the Cleveland Browns and followed him to Atlanta in 2015. In 2017, he once again followed Shanahan to the 49ers and has been working there ever since.
He’s been the team’s run game coordinator and this year was promoted to offensive coordinator.
Gee, I wonder why.
Perhaps Shanahan promoted McDaniel to the title of offensive coordinator to prevent other teams from poaching him away in a lateral move. Just a thought.
Now, the 49ers have advanced in the playoffs over the Dan Quinn and Kellen Moore-led Dallas Cowboys in Dallas. McDaniel is obviously a huge reason for the team’s success.
Kyle Shanahan was probably having a good laugh when John Elway poached Rich Scangarello from him instead of this guy.
He’s 38 years old and has already been coaching in the NFL for the majority of the last 16 years. He’s been a disciple under Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak, and now Kyle Shanahan.
He’s a Yale graduate.
The 49ers’ run game has been outstanding and obviously, McDaniel is a sharp dude who knows how to utilize weapons, even if Kyle Shanahan is the primary play-caller in San Francisco.
The fact that this guy is not on the Broncos’ list should be a criminal offense.
Denver Broncos other HC options: Brian Daboll, OC, Bills
Imagine an offensive coordinator who has worked with one of the biggest projects at the quarterback position to come out in quite some time not being considered for a head coach vacancy where the QB position has been a massive problem.
Why are the Denver Broncos not trying to interview Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll?
The offense he designed to acclimate Josh Allen to the NFL was nothing short of miraculous. He amplified the athletic strengths of Allen early on and the Bills had team success while Allen was able to take his lumps in the NFL.
In year three, Allen broke out as an MVP candidate. The Bills’ offense has become a borderline juggernaut and now they are on their way to potentially representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.
Given the miracle that is the development of Josh Allen in the NFL, it’s crazy that every team with a head coach vacancy is not lining up to at least talk to Daboll.
What he and his assistants on offense have done has been astounding to watch from afar, but the Denver Broncos aren’t currently considering him for their vacancy.
Denver Broncos 2022 mock draft any head coach will love
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Maybe another performance this week like we just saw against the Patriots will change George Paton’s mind.