Bronco's owner in tears over firing

[.GR]

DENVER -- In a tear-filled news conference the day after firing Mike Shanahan, Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen gave no timetable for hiring the coach's replacement.

Bowlen said he fired Shanahan after 14 seasons because, simply, he felt it was time for a change.

Shanahan became the fourth coach to be fired this week, joining Eric Mangini, Rod Marinelli and Romeo Crennel, after going 24-24 over the past three seasons, including three straight losses in 2008 that turned a three-game division lead to an 8-8 record.

Bowlen said he anticipated Denver's new coach would not have full say over personnel moves, the way Shanahan did. That means the Broncos might hire a general manager, but Bowlen says his priority was hiring a new coach first.

Bowlden said he had not yet compiled a short list of candidates. Shanahan, meanwhile, says he's interested in coaching again but hasn't taken any phone calls about current openings.

Denver remained stuck on only one postseason victory since John Elway retired in 1999 following back-to-back championships. Shanahan finishes at 146-91 over 14 seasons in Denver, including playoffs; his final game was an unseemly 52-21 loss to San Diego with the division title on the line.

Quarterback Jay Cutler said Tuesday he did not see Shanahan's dismissal coming.

"I was talking to Mike yesterday about personnel moves," he said in an interview on KCNC-TV in Denver. "I'm as shocked as anybody else. I think it's the wrong move."

 

[A.E]

A real biotch the business aspect of the NFL is. I heard on SportsCenter tonight that Shannahan is in the process of building a mansion, in Denver, on land he purchased from Elway's ex-wife.

That sucks.

 

[wade3]

Sadly, everything must come to an end.....

Im no Broncos fan, but i know what it's like to see a coach get thrown out of town after so many years. I saw it happen with Joe Torre and the Yankees.