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Denver Broncos: “Sleeper” David Shaw checks every box

By Aric Manthey

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)
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) /
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Former Stanford HC David Shaw has been listed as a “Sleeper” candidate for the Denver Broncos head coaching job by a local insider recently. Does his resume show that he can win the job?

Broncos Country is in the midst of another coaching search. When we once zigged for Vic Fangio, we overcorrected and zagged for Nathaniel Hackett. Since Gary Kubiak walked out the door at Dove Valley, The Denver Broncos have been stuck in a vortex of coaching gaffes.

If you go back and look at any of the previous coaching cycles, the Broncos whiffed by NOT interviewing candidates that went on to be successful. Sean McDermott, Doug Pederson, Sean McVay, etc. For all of the salt lovers out there, you can throw in the Kyle Shanahan misfire as extra bits to rub into the wound.

Denver Broncos
PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 26: The Stanford Cardinal including C.J.Hawkins #88, Wide Receivers Coach Bobby Kennedy, Ashton Daniels #14, Brycen Tremayne #81, Tanner McKee #18, Benjamin Yurosek #14, and Head Coach David Shaw (headset, behind Tremayne) watch a replay review of a Tremayne touchdown catch during an NCAA college football game against the BYU Cougars on November 26, 2022 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

Could David Shaw be the ideal candidate for the Denver Broncos?

It has been apparent for years now that the lack of leadership from the top has resulted in impulsive, impatient moves by the people in charge. With the Walton Penner ownership group firmly in place, they are looking to change the tide.

To that point, Greg Penner laid out what this ownership group is looking for in their next Head Coach (starts at the 8:10 mark of this video).

For those that can’t listen, here’s the quote.

"It starts with really strong leadership. I think that’s going to be the most critical factor here, in a Head Coach. Obviously, the X’s and O’s are important, but we need a strong leader for this organization that’s focused on winning.  It starts with culture, it’s instilling a sense of accountability, discipline, and we need an identity on offense.  The starting point has to be culture and leadership.  Those characteristics are what we’ll be focused on the most. -Greg Penner"

When reading about this upcoming candidate, please keep the above quote in mind.  Amongst the balloon-inflated hype surrounding candidates such as Sean Payton and Dan Quinn, one well-known college coach has snuck under the radar.

Amidst the hysteria around Jim Harbaugh, his former assistant rose the ranks of the Broncos’ search list. The critics will point to his recent record at Stanford or the fact that he’s never been an NFL HC before as reasons to discredit his candidacy.

Sure, those may be fair criticisms. However, that’s overlooking a resume that is otherwise sterling (and more than qualified to win this job).

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why David Shaw is not only a legitimate candidate in this search but a guy that could very well be leading the Broncos in 2023 and beyond.

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