The Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox have mutually agreed to part ways after a disappointing loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs, creating perhaps the most appealing opening in the league. Who will the Broncos look at to replace Fox on the sidelines?
8 ) Jim Tomsula, San Francisco 49ers Defensive Line Coach
Tomsula looked like a very strong contender early to be named San Francisco's head coach, he still hasn’t interviewed…and 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s resurgence as a candidate doesn’t help his case. Many around the league expect Tomsula to become a head coach very soon, and while Denver will pursue big names first, Tomsula makes for a decent fallback option.
7) Jack Del Rio, Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator
Del Rio has solid NFL head coaching experience, and he’ll get a look because he's already in Denver. He has been looking for another head coaching opportunity for some time now, and while he is a candidate to take over in Oakland, Denver is obviously the more appealing position. The Broncos won't have Del Rio at the top of their list because he's very similar to the man they just fired, but he does provide a solid backup option.
6) Darrell Bevell, Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
Bevell has turned down NFL head coaching jobs before to stay in the Pacific Northwest, but he’s expected to make the jump this offseason if the right opportunity presents itself. Denver is a ready-made Super Bowl contender, and that opportunity would be hard for Bevell to turn down.
5) Pep Hamilton, Indianapolis Colts Offensive Coordinator
Hamilton followed Andrew Luck from Stanford to Indianapolis, and he’s led outstanding offenses at each stop along the way. He’s a hot candidate for every opening across the league, but Denver is one of the best jobs available. He's show his ability to work with and develop top-level quarterbacks, which will be good for communicating with Peyton Manning and working with backup Brock Osweiler.
4) Todd Bowles, Arizona Cardinals Defensive Coordinator
Bowles has quietly built one of the league’s best defenses in Arizona, and they haven’t missed a beat in 2014 despite losing several starters to injuries this season. He’s been interviewed for nearly every available coaching position, but few open jobs are more attractive than Denver. Bowles is one of the rising stars in the NFL coaching world, and the Broncos would be smart to bring him to Denver.
3) Adam Gase, Denver Broncos Offensive Coordinator
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports believes it’s a virtual lock that Gase will be an NFL head coach in 2015, and for good reason – Gase is the architect of one of the most dynamic (and productive) offenses in recent NFL history. Gase turned down head coaching jobs in both Minnesota and Cleveland last Spring, but the opportunity to stay in Denver would be very appealing to him. The Broncos have watched several other assistants leave to become successful head coaches, so while there's an apparent house-cleaning going on in Denver, Gase might be the guy to stick around.
Plus, Peyton Manning loves him:
Peyton Manning has been calling teams and telling them how strong of a coaching candidate Adam Gase is. Now, his own team has a chance.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2015
2) Dan Quinn, Seattle Seahawks Defensive Coordinator
Quinn is one of Denver’s most interesting options. He’s best known for the way his Seahawks defense dominated the Broncos in last year's Super Bowl, and he's one of two candidates Denver has already contacted about interviewing for the job. He’s helped develop Seattle’s defensive stars and his gameplans have confused the best quarterbacks in the league. Quinn is thought to be the frontrunner for the New York Jets head coaching job, but now it looks like that may go to Arizona's Todd Bowles.
1) Gary Kubiak, Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator
Kubiak led the Texans to a 61-64 record during his eight seasons in Houston, taking them from a struggling new franchise to AFC South champions. He was fired after a 2-14 season in 2013, but he’s helped guide the Ravens to another playoff berth this year. Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco has played some of the best football of his career under Kubiak, and the Broncos would like to see him develop Osweiler for when Manning eventually retires.
Kubiak played for the Broncos and was an assistant in Denver from 1995-2005. The Broncos contacted him before anyone else about interviewing for the head coaching vacancy, indicating that he's at the top of their wishlist. Kubiak has said that he's committed to Baltimore, but that was before the Denver job opened.
Wildcard: Mike Shanahan, former Denver Broncos Head Coach
Shanahan is interested in returning to coaching, and is only two years removed from leading the Washington Redskins to the playoffs (which seems like a real feat nowadays), but he’ll want to have some front office input as well. He was John Elway's coach in Denver when they won two Super Bowls, so it would make sense for Elway to at least give him the call. Shanahan still lives in the Denver, making this the easiest transition for him.
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