From ESPN Insider
Candidates for the Broncos job
Darrell Bevell -- Vikings offensie coordinator could be nice consolation prize if Frazier's unavailable Brian Billick -- Former Super Bowl-winning head coach is the type of offensive-minded coach Bowlen prefers Troy Calhoun -- Air Force coach well-respected in the NFL, known as a high-character coach; however, he released a statement saying he's not interested Bill Cowher -- The Denver opening could be the one that finally lures him back to the sideline John Fox -- He should be free of Carolina soon Leslie Frazier -- Vikings' interim coach finished second to McDaniels two years ago Jason Garrett -- In the unlikely event Jerry Jones lets him go, Broncos will come calling Jon Gruden -- Current Monday Night Football analyst is in the mix Jim Harbaugh -- No college coach's stock is higher right now Gary Kubiak -- On the hot seat in Houston, and Denver could be very interested if the Texans let him go Mike Leach -- Because his name seems to come up with every opening ... Ron Rivera -- San Diego defensive
Following the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels Monday night, the focus has already shifted to the team's next choice as head coach.
There are two early leaders in the clubhouse: Air Force coach Troy Calhoun and Minnesota Vikings interim head coach Leslie Frazier. The Denver Post reports that both could be on the team's radar, as does ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Landing either one of them could be tricky, however. Frazier could very well stick with the Vikings as a full-time head coach following the season, and Calhoun has shown an unwillingness to leave Air Force for higher-profile college jobs in the past (this year's opening at Colorado is one example). He also may not look forward to the challenge of going from managing service academy football players to having to handle some of the egos he'd encounter in the NFL.
As we wrote Monday, Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak is looking like he's on the hot seat, and he's a potential candidate as well if he's let go. Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher is another option being discussed, and big names like Carolina Panthers coach John Fox and Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh could also be in the mix.
ESPN's John Clayton writes that owner Pat Bowlen may try to avoid paying a huge salary to his next coach, as he'll be paying both McDaniels and Mike Shanahan not to coach for him. Clayton writes that some options could include former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, Vikings offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and Dallas Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett (although chances are he'll be brought on by Jerry Jones full-time).
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com writes that the fact that Jon Gruden and McDaniels share an agent (Bob LaMonte) could potentially make Chucky's landing in Denver less likely, but that it doesn't rule him out as a candidate altogether.
ESPN's Adam Schefter checks in with his take on the upcoming coaching search, which should include Calhoun and Frazier (see below).
