Thursday’s Update on the Denver Broncos Search for a Head Coach
By Joe Morrone
Dec 7, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak (left) talks with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (right) during the second half against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Ravens won 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos head coaching search is well underway and the first formal interview is scheduled for Friday. Here’s what we know at this point.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will interview with the Broncos on Friday assuming he does not take the Atlanta Falcons job between now and then. Austin spent most of the day Wednesday with the Falcons and there is believed to be mutual interest on both sides. However, most insiders still believe that Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the frontrunner in Atlanta.
As we wrote on Wednesday, Austin makes sense for the Broncos because of his expertise on the defensive side of the ball. He plays an aggressive style that would fit well with the personnel in Denver.
The Broncos have also put in a formal request to speak with the Baltimore Ravens to interview Gary Kubiak. As of Thursday morning, there has been no word from Kubiak on if he would be interested. However, there are sources in Baltimore who believe the Ravens are preparing for the possibility of Kubiak leaving.
Kubiak remains the frontrunner and if he agrees to an interview, it would be a shock if he was not the next head coach of the Denver Broncos.
As mentioned on Wednesday, John Elway spent a lot of time with offensive coordinator Adam Gase. It was not a formal interview and Gase is considered a long shot at this point. A number of teams have requested permission from the Broncos to talk to Gase about their vacant offensive coordinator positions.
Things could change if Elway cannot get the guy he wants but it would be a surprise if Gase ended up with the top job. A return as the offensive coordinator is not out of the question.
Rick Dennison and Dan Quinn remain candidates but no formal request has been made to speak with Dennison who finished second to John Fox four years ago, and Quinn remains unavailable until the Seahawks season is over.
A new name did surface as a possible candidate on Thursday. Vic Fangio was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and, like Austin, he is considered one of the better defensive minds in football. It is unclear at this time if the Broncos will put in a request to speak with Fangio.
It’s still early in the process but make no mistake, Kubiak is the target. Stay tuned.