On Nov. 29, Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said of his head coach Josh McDaniels, "I am not interested in making a change," adding that he'd be back for the 2011 season. Monday night, exactly one week late, Pat Bowlen suddenly became very interested in making a change and fired Josh McDaniels, "relieving" him of "his head coaching duties."
The Broncos are just 3-9 this season, following an 8-8 campaign that saw Denver lose eight of their final 10 games. That 11-17 record coupled with the team's recent videotaping scandal (for which McDaniels was fined $50,000) was likely enough for Bowlen.
Before taking over in Denver, McDaniels was with the New England Patriots from 2001-2008. After originally serving as a personnel assistant, he became a defensive coaching assistant from 2002-03, took over as the team's QB coach in 2004. With McDaniels serving as offensive coordinator in 2007, the Patriots set NFL records with 75 touchdowns and 589 points. He left New England after the 2008 season to coach Denver.
McDaniels' firing is yet another hit on the Bill Belichick coaching tree.
Romeo Crennel - fired after four seasons with the Cleveland Browns and a 34-40 record, currently defensive coordinator for Kansas City Chiefs
Al Groh - spent 2000 as the head coach of the New York Jets before resigning to take over the program at Virginia; he was fired following the 2009 season and is now the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech
Josh McDaniels - fired after an 11-17 record with the Denver Broncos
Eric Mangini - fired as the head coach of the New York Jets a day after the 2008 season ended with a 23-25 record in three seasons. Took over the Browns in 2009 and is currently 8-16 with Cleveland
Jim Schwartz - in his second season as head coach of the Detroit Lions, currently boasts a 4-22 record
Charlie Weis - left New England to become the head coach at Notre Dame, where was fired in 2009 after five seasons and a 35-27 record and just three winning campaigns. Currently serving as offensive coordinator of the Patriots West, the Chiefs
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