Jim Bates Agrees to Step Down as Broncos Defensive Coordinator

That didn't last long. Jim Bates, hired a year ago to shore up the Broncos defense, is now out of a job. The Denver Post's Bill Williamson writes that Bates and head coach Mike Shanahan reached a settlement on the remaining two years on Bates' contract. (Pithy version: Shanny canned Bates.)

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity and very saddened that things did not work out," Bates said in a statement. "I had the opportunity to stay, Mike has been very fair with me, and the final decision, for the Broncos and for me, was to step aside."

The early favorite to replace Bates is Bob Slowik, currently the Broncos' assistant head coach-defense.

As I wrote last week, the writing was on the wall with Bates. His seven-in-the-box approach to rushing the football never worked, and it even caused football savants like Bernie Kosar to question what the hell the Broncos were doing.

Maybe Bates wasn't given enough time to make it his defense; the guy did have success in Miami and Green Bay. Whatever, he won't be out of work for long. Four teams are currently looking for head coaches, and those head coaches will also need a staff of assistants. I can't imagine Bates doesn't show up somewhere in 2008.