Englewood, Colo – For the second time in four years, the current seasonal drought in Denver Broncos has caused the head coach to lose his job.
The Broncos, after finishing 7-10, knocked out Vic Fangio on Sunday because they missed the playoffs for the sixth season in a row.
Fangio thanked Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis, head of football operations John Elway and general manager George Patton in a statement on Sunday, saying it was “an honor and privilege” to serve as Denver’s head coach.
“To Broncos fans: Thank you for your support, interest and how much you care about Broncos,” Fangio said as part of his statement. “You’re the reason Denver is one of the best football cities in the NFL.
“This team has the foundation to do great things. The future is bright for the Denver Broncos, and I want that system to be better.”
Several sources told ESPN’s Jeff Lekvol that the Broncos had fired attack coordinator Pat Shurmur and special team coordinator Tom McMahon.
Ellis said he informed Fangio of the decision, which also included Patten, during a conversation Sunday morning.
“For the past three seasons, Vic has been training his heart and soul for Broncos,” Ellis said in a statement. I would like to thank Coach Fangio for giving us the maximum effort for our company from the day he was hired.
“George will have full authority to select the next head coach of the Broncos. This is his decision and his plan. I have full confidence in George’s ability to find a complete and successful head coach.
“We will provide all available resources to George and fully support him in hiring the best head coach to lead the Broncos.”
Following the 2018 season, the Broncos fired Fangio’s pioneer Vance Joseph for two years. He is currently the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Broncos finished in the top 10 of the Defense League in almost every major division and quarterback. Teddy Bridgewater Despite missing the final three games with a concussion, he threw for the best 18 touchdowns of his life. But Denver’s bad offense and random special teams playing eventually led to Fangio losing his job.
Fangio, 63, completed the third year of a four-year contract he signed when he replaced Joseph in 2019.
Fangio’s fall was triggered by a change in GM (Patton was hired to replace Elway in 2021) and an almost constant struggle for a more long-term solution in the quarterback, surpassing his 19-30 record in all three seasons. To get points. There has also been a rise in ownership status, which includes a legal battle, with the team expected to be sold next year.
Fangio has faced some setbacks in the midst of the Govt-19 epidemic over the past two seasons, including the 2020 defeat to the New Orleans Saints, in which the Broncos have none of their quarterbacks in uniform.
“I really appreciate everything he has achieved in the Wig and the NFL,” Baden said in a statement. “Over the past year, I appreciate his partnership, friendship and the tireless work he has shown as our head coach.
“Vic will continue to have great success in this league and I thank him for everything he has done for the Broncos and for me personally.”
Broncos 7-6 and AFC’s chaotic playoff race with four games remaining. In the second half of the season Patten repeatedly stated how much he respects Fangio and how much he enjoyed “working with Vic”.
But the last four games did not go well because the Broncos lost every game. Denver did not play the post-season game after closing the 2015 season after its Super Bowl 50 victory and did not finish above .500 after a score of 9-7 in 2016.
Players have often said they appreciate Fangio’s honesty and honest demeanor. But the turnstiles in the quarterbacks, another season of averaging over 23 points per game – which they have not had since 2014 – and a few more bubbles in the special teams were too much for Fangio to deal with.
“To the players, coaches and staff: Thank you for the fighting and character you showed every week,” Fangio said in his statement Sunday. “No matter the hardships, situations or challenges we face, you have never backed down. I am proud to be associated with this group of fighters and rivals. I appreciate all of you.”
Bridgewater is the 10th different quarterback to start at least one game for the Broncos from the 13th week of the 2016 season, with Philip Lindsay not opening behind the center against the Saints in the 2020 game.
Elway, who stepped down as the team’s chief football decision-maker after the 2020 season – he was head of football operations – hired Fangio to rely on his discipline, accountability, teaching and expertise on the defensive side of the ball. Bronchospasm is sufficient to overcome seasonal drought.
At the time Elway called those things the “foundation of football,” and Fangio had waited decades for his first leadership coaching opportunity. Fangio assured that the details were important and that the Broncos would not suffer “death by inches”.
But even his optimism about a dynamic bass rush duo From Miller And Bradley Sup Ignition is not effective for self-defense. Sub missed all but four games in the 2019 season with the torn ACL and Miller missed the entire 2020 season with an ankle injury.
Sub missed nine of the first 10 games this season after ankle surgery, and in early November Patten Miller traded for the Los Angeles Rams.
Broncos, a young roster to replace Fangio, has plenty of pay range space and already has 11 choices for this April draft.
“Looking ahead, there is a lot of work to be done to take it to the next level,” Patton said in a statement Sunday. “Succeeding is not easy and we are going to accept the opportunity to improve in every area of our process.
“Our search for Broncos’ next head coach will be a comprehensive, collaborative process. We approach it with an open mind and look forward to spending time with some of the best candidates.”
