January 11, 2009 8:03 PM
Youthful McDaniels follows interesting trail
It appears that New England Patriots offensive coordinator
McDaniels, who turns 33 years old in April, is going to draw comparisons to the Broncos' previous head coach,
Some believe that one day Shanahan could be inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Here's the thing. McDaniels, an Ohioan who attended Canton McKinley High School, already has more traits that fit the path of a coach already in the Hall of Fame.
McDaniels played football at John Carroll University. He coached on an NFL team that finished a regular season with an undefeated record. He has coached on teams that have won Super Bowls in consecutive seasons. His first NFL head-coaching job is for a team who takes its nickname from a horse.
See, McDaniels seems to be following the path of Hall of Famer
Shula is a native Ohioan. He played football at John Carroll University. He led the Miami Dolphins to a 17-0 finish in 1972. The Dolphins won back-to-back championships in '72 and '73.
The Baltimore Colts hired Shula, at age 33, to replace
Only time will tell if McDaniels can become as successful as Shula -- who happens to hold the record for most coaching wins in NFL history with 347.
We'll find out how much patience Broncos fans will have with a young, neophyte head coach. McDaniels now is in charge of leading a team out of the ranks of mediocre over the past three seasons and into serious Super Bowl contenders.
It sounds like a fairly daunting task. Make fans forget about Shanahan. Follow the footsteps of Shula.
At age 32, McDaniels has nothing but time on his side.
January 12, 2009
9:38 AM
gofastgo writes:
Well, well, well.
It appears to me that Bowlen may be the problem with the Bronco's organization.
He lets go Shanny and hires son-of-Shanny, Josh McShanahan, another offensive genius. I think the Bronco's hire on intelligent conversation with smart guys who may or may not be able to do the job, recall Brian Griese? Spoke eloquently, threw horribly.
The defense can't stop a gentle breeze, the offense looks decent and Bowlen hires another offensive head coach. Oh, and he hires a retread like Noland for the "D". Give me a break!
I hope Bowlen is happy, nice guy to have over for dinner and a round of golf perhaps.
January 12, 2009
10:54 AM
joshua writes:
Somebody needs to tell Bowlen that the Billicheck coaching train is not one you want to purchase a ticket for. As a Broncos fan I am tired of having an embarrasing defense, and not making the playoffs 3 years in a row. Bowlen slapped every Broncos fan in the face by hiring "Baby Spygate" to take the reigns of a franchise that obviously has no ambition on being succsesful or wining a super bowl anytime soon. Make way Chiefs and Raiders, cause the Broncos are going to give you company at the bottom of AFC West, the AFC, and the NFL.
January 12, 2009
11:05 AM
Pandaman27 writes:
What an embarrassment!!
I'm sorry its just that Charlie Weiss, Romeo Crannell and Eric Mangini have had as much success as a midget in the land of giants. If Bowlen wanted a coach that can't lead the team to the playoffs, why did he get rid of Shanahan?
Just like how we passed on Ed Reed, to take Ashley Lelie, and passed on Bob Sanders to take sorry Tatum Bell, the Broncos pass on Spagnoluo and take some kid who was only successful because he had the other team's defensive signals. Let's just hope that no one will care if he gets caught just like no one cared when the Hoodie got caught.
January 12, 2009
12:22 PM
Bassman writes:
Panda, McDaniels guided a QB who hadn't started since high school to an 11-5 record and an upcoming fat free agent contract. This was done without spying. Imagine what he could do with Cutler. I was pulling for the safe,easy choice in Spags. But maybe it makes sense to build to the strengths we already possess. No one could have made this a good defense. What we needed most was toughness on both sides of the ball. Time will tell whether McDaniels has that.
January 12, 2009
4:27 PM
curoma writes:
This is not the draft. This is Bowlen's decision. That's WHO I want making this decision. Not a bunch of Post-it noters.
WAIT 'n SEE!
January 12, 2009
5:06 PM
ClevelandBronco writes:
Trivia for you ... which current NFL linebacker was a college teammate of Josh McDaniels? Answer ... London Fletcher of the Washington redskins. In fact, London was a year older.
For all those haters, Josh comes from a great football family in Ohio, ascended very quickly, and actually spent a few years on the defensive side of the ball before becoming quarterbacks coach.