The immediate speculation in some league circles when word broke of the termination of long-time Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is that Shanahan has something else cooking, and that he forced his firing by refusing to agree to changes that owner Pat Bowlen wants to make.
According to Jeff Legwold of the
Rocky Mountain News, part of that speculation is right on the money.
Per Legwold, Shanahan was fired because
he refused to fire defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, whose unit surrendered 52 points in a Week Seventeen loss to the Chargers.
Said Bowlen, in a release issued by the team: ?After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the
Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned.
?I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time. His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.?
So if Shanahan wanted to get out of town because he has something else cooking, what might it be?
Believe it or not, there?s speculation that Shanahan is trying to position himself for the Chargers job.
What?s that, you say? The Chargers are in the playoffs and they?ve made it clear that Norv Turner is coming back as head coach?
That was our reaction, too. But a highly-placed league source suspects that something is happening with Shanahan and San Diego.
In our book, it?s almost as unlikely as Shanahan coaching the Raiders. But we?ll continue to keep our eyes peeled on this one.
