Well, not entirely…but the main pieces. This past Monday it was announced that the successor to the great Mike Shanahan will be none other than the promising and youthful Josh McDaniels. Coach McDaniels was most recently the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots and thought by many to be the next rising star to come from under the Bill Belichick umbrella of coaches in the league. McDaniels knows the offensive side of the ball and will likely employ (by his own admission) a New England style offense which will probably use the spread and a form of zone blocking. In terms of offense, we have the people to make that dangerous for opposing defenses.
On the other side of the ball it was announced yesterday (and this is why I waited to post about McDaniels really) that former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan will be taking over as the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator. Nolan was the defensive coordinator for the Ravens, Jets, Redskins and Giants before he took over as head coach of the 49ers. He was also a Denver Bronco previously, serving as the special teams and linebacker coach from 1987 – 1992 under Dan Reeves. Coach Nolan historically runs the 3 – 4 defense which will make for an interesting off season here as the Broncos simply don’t have the players right now to effectively run it.
The rest of the staff has yet to be determined, more on that when it is available. One other position that was confirmed is that of General Manager. That role will be filled by the existing Jim Goodman. Goodman has done a nice job along with his brother Jeff Goodman and assistant GM Brian Xanders in the draft over the last couple years but will need to step it up this year to help the team out. A solid draft and free agency period will be crucial to any sort of success for this squad who now will be shifting their defensive schemes.
Overall I am slightly disappointed that they did not go with a defensive-minded head coach but happy with their choices overall if that makes sense. I am thrilled about Nolan however. A popular rumor is that Dom Capers will follow Coach McDaniels to Denver to help out the defense which would make for a fantastic one-two punch with Nolan. I am excited for the new Broncos and hopeful for next year to see what we have.
January 15, 2009 at 7:19 am
I’m still bitter that there’s not going to be an actual GM. I’m sure Goodman is fine, and I’ll give him a chance as the head personnel guy, I just think not hiring a proven GM is a risk.
http://bighouseoforange.blogspot.com
January 15, 2009 at 8:13 am
I definitely wanted to see a Pioli type GM come in, we will see how this works…and I cannot disagree with you at all.
January 22, 2009 at 2:42 pm
[...] Posts Denver Broncos News: Dennison and Turner stayingMy 2008 predictions, and the actual resultsDenver Broncos News: The New Coaching StaffDenver Broncos News: Casey Wiegmann makes the Pro BowlBroncos Week 2 Preview: San Diego at [...]
July 25, 2009 at 10:40 pm
[...] previously talked about Mike Nolan being added to the staff as Defensive Coordinator and the retention of Bobby Turner and Rick Dennison at running backs coach [...]