Before that, the Broncos had been the dregs of the American Football League, and hence, of all pro football as the most woeful of franchises.
But Phipps was determined to do all he could to bring Denver to a seat at the table of respectability in the world of pro football, and Saban's hiring was the first big step.
Saban came to Denver fresh from the Buffalo Bills, where he had won back-to-back AFL championships.
The Denver press christened Saban "Cool Lou," though he was anything but cool (or maybe because of that).