NFL

Denver Broncos Fire Mike Shanahan

Posted Dec 30, 2008 5:16PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Broncos

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Two days after a loss to the San Diego Chargers completed one of the greatest collapses in NFL history, the Denver Broncos have fired head coach Mike Shanahan.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network reports that Shanahan was fired today despite having three years and $20 million left on his contract.

Shanahan, who has won two Super Bowl rings in Denver, was the longest-serving coach in franchise history, had a close relationship with owner Pat Bowlen and was thought to be untouchable. But apparently collapsing over the final weeks of the season was too much for even Shanahan to survive.

The 2008 Broncos are the first team in NFL history to have a three-game lead in their division with three weeks to play and end up missing the playoffs.

Tags: Mike+Shanahan, MikeShanahan

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

12-30-2008 @ 5:30PM

J.P. said...

WHOA!!!And the media thought Mangini getting fired was a surprise!

12-30-2008 @ 5:42PM

Cody said...

As a long time fan, all I can say is that it's his own doing. How many years in a row can you be erratic and overly reactionary with cutting players...How many years does it take to get special teams figured out? He's been pretty good lately in the draft but has historically been questionable at best, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I'll miss his ballsy 4th down calls, but other than that, lets move on. Somebody call Cower!

1-05-2009 @ 10:19PM

elwaylives said...

Please NOOOOO COWER...... Give me the pats Offensive coordinator and a true GM who can make solid roster moves. Oh yeah a new special teams coach please and D coordinator and a D line and a couple safeties, and cheaper beer at the games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Giants D coordinator would be welcome also.

12-30-2008 @ 5:36PM

steve said...

THANK GOD!!!!!!!!!Its about 5 years to late....now we can get someone maybe who can get us a defense.....

12-30-2008 @ 5:41PM

Den615 said...

holy $#1%...this is a huge surprise...i figured he had atleast one more year befor there was even a chance of being fired...i have no clue who his replacement will be!!!!!

12-30-2008 @ 6:33PM

Will said...

Lets go with Cowher, he will get it done..

12-30-2008 @ 5:44PM

J.G. said...

I just want to thank Mike for all the many years he gave to the Broncos coaching at many levels. He has made us great...and set the standard. Now we need to find a coach that will come in and live up to the standard set by Mike, Elway and company. we as Broncos fans should expect excellence and I support Pat Bowlen's pursuit of it. Change is difficult, but often very necessary. With a defense, the broncos will be a Super Bowl contender almost immediatley. I hope we don't let Bill Cowher get away!

12-30-2008 @ 6:06PM

Dave said...

Hey my friend,
You can have Bill Cowher. He sucks ! He should have had a number of super bowl wins.
Dave, a Steeler fan

12-30-2008 @ 6:18PM

Bears Fan said...

WTF? Did you see the Charger v. Bronco game? They are the Enver Broncos--because there is no D(defense). Shanahan has been so smug for so long it's about time the owner fired him. I guess no one is Untouchable. I guess Elway couldn't save your arce this time...punk.

12-30-2008 @ 8:28PM

Lindsey said...

I love your comment and agee I will miss him.

12-30-2008 @ 5:47PM

Mad Jack said...

Hiring coaches in the NFL is easy,,,,Firing coaches in the NFL is easy...........
Replacing coaches in the NFL is nevereasy...............Especially the success of one Mike Shanahan.
Perhaps the game passed him by a little bit, but I think Shanahan's place in the Hall of Fame is secure. I hope the fans do not discover that wanting him fired is easier than having him fired.

12-30-2008 @ 5:49PM

Eric said...

Shanny FIRED????? Oh--the Shock--the the surprize!!--OK--I'm OK now--let's go get Cowher.

12-30-2008 @ 5:54PM

Gary the Bronco Fan said...

WOW, from the greatest Bronco fan ever! Gonna miss him, maybe he'll head to the Jets and Cower will move west to Denver? There's a great choice, hard nosed Bill Cowers to Denver.

1-01-2009 @ 4:05PM

Bill Porter said...

Mike got screwed.
He isn't responsible for all those dropped passes which if caught, would have put them in the playoffs. Fire the receivers coach. Fire the GM. Whoever gets Shanahan will be lucky.
Hopefully he won't come to Detroit. I don't wish that on anyone
except The Big Tuna

12-30-2008 @ 6:01PM

stt60 said...

Jeeez I wonder if Elway is tired of retirement life. Slobber face Cower the 10 year overnight success should not even be an option.

12-31-2008 @ 10:35AM

Rou said...

we'll miss you mike --but-- maybe it's time for a change. my son in pa. (a lifelong bronco fan) would like to see cowher come to denver! hey, why not kubiak? good luck mike!

12-30-2008 @ 6:14PM

Don said...

Wow...of all the firings -- this one is a stunner.

12-30-2008 @ 6:14PM

Larry said...

I have been a Chargers fan since 1968 and I always dreaded when we had to play Denver but Shannihan is one tough cookie and probably one of the best coaches in the NFL, he is twice the coach for Denver that Reeves was. Sorry to see him go but I will breath a little easier now when Denver gomes to play. Good Luck Mike !!

12-30-2008 @ 6:17PM

Dawn said...

Look Mike Shanahan has gave us all some great games and some sad games, But I don't think he needed to be fired over ONE game, Come on HE is the GREATEST COACH in the NFL.
But, anyways Mike Shanahan will always be a Bronco Coach in my eyes, he's been there like 4EVER....n if you are a true Bronco Fan you to will understand how I feel.
The #1 Bronco Fan in Ohio