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Who’s next for the Denver Broncos? A look at future HC Candidates

By Aric Manthey

Aug 13, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos CEO Greg Penner and wife Carrie Walton Penner before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos CEO Greg Penner and wife Carrie Walton Penner before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 19: Head coach David Shaw of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sidelines against the California Golden Bears during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Wild Cards 

This group may not come to fruition (for a variety of reasons) but, any one of them could be on the Bronco’s shortlist in no time.

David Shaw

Let me start off by saying that I’m usually not a fan of college hires. For every Jim Harbaugh, there are five Matt Rhules.  With that out of the way, I think Harbaugh’s former lieutenant in David Shaw may be another rare exception.

The former Stanford Head Coach boasts an extensive coaching career that includes nearly a decade in the NFL. During his time in Palo Alto, he compiled a 96-54 record with several Pac-12 Championships.

His teams were known to be disciplined, tough, and coached akin to that of an NFL team. He spent a good chunk of his coaching tenure under Jim Harbaugh, so it’s safe to say that his philosophy on the game is similar to the Michigan coach.  Another big factor in Shaw’s potential candidacy is who he’s tied to at Dove Valley.

We have not one, or two, but THREE Stanford people in this current ownership group. With Greg Penner, Carrie Walton-Penner, and Condoleeza Rice all having connections to the University, it’s safe to say that they’ve had a few run-ins with Shaw. They’ve seen firsthand how Shaw shaped the Culture there and keep the program competitive for so long.

Pros

  • Successful tenure as Stanford’s Head Coach
  • Nearly a decade’s worth of NFL experience (Eagles, Raiders, Ravens)
  • Known for building a strong, team-first culture
  • Shares an alma mater with several people in the ownership group

Cons

  • Do you trust a college coach to turn around an NFL team?
  • He walked away from his job at Stanford. A sign of burnout?

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for an authentic culture builder that can mesh well in Denver, David Shaw would be a good bet. The question is, can you be patient enough with his transition and vision for the team long term?

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