Take a brief look at Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan's career. Shanahan interviewed with the Broncos on Saturday. (Photos by AP)
One day after beginning the head-coach interview process by sitting down with Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub, the Broncos' search committee met with Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Shanahan is the son of former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan, who became the Broncos' winningest and longest-tenured coach during his 14 years guiding the team. But the 37-year-old coach has earned an opportunity to be part of the interview process on his own merits, guiding an offense that rocketed to the top of the league in points scored and yardage per play in 2016, while also ranking second in total yardage -- massive improvements over their 2015 ranks of 21st, 11th and seventh, respectively.
In Week 5, Shanahan helped guide the Falcons to a 23-16 win at Sports Authority Field at Mile High thanks to a game plan that emphasized the ground game and finding running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman out of the backfield. Freeman and Coleman combined for 167 of the Falcons' 267 gross passing yards, and Atlanta won even though star receiver Julio Jones touched the football just twice.
Shanahan's work with Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan turned the ninth-year passer into a legitimate MVP candidate. Ryan posted a career-best 117.1 quarterback rating in 2016, which is also the fifth-best single-season rating in league history. He averaged 9.26 yards per attempt, which is the most for any eligible quarterback (224 attempts) since Kurt Warner in 2000.
The 2016 season was Shanahan's 13th in the NFL, and included two years working under Jon Gruden and four with Gary Kubiak in Houston -- the last two of which saw him serve as Kubiak's offensive coordinator.
SHANAHAN'S COACHING RESUME
2003:UCLA, graduate assistant
2004-05:Tampa Bay Buccaneers, offensive quality control
2006:Houston Texans, wide receivers
2007:Houston Texans, quarterbacks
2008-09:Houston Texans, offensive coordinator
2010-13:Washington Redskins, offensive coordinator
2014:Cleveland Browns, offensive coordinator
2015-16:Atlanta Falcons, offensive coordinator
A look at candidates for head-coaching jobs around the league. (Photos by AP)
"I worked with him with one team when he was a position coach, and I really like him. I would want to really sit down and talk to him about how he's going to build a staff. It's one thing to talk about all these guys you want. It's another to actually get those guys." —NFC executive via Bleacher Report
"NYG head man Ben McAdoo is proof that coaches from the current Green Bay regime tend to arrive a little more comfortable in the role, having been cross-trained all across the offense." - NFL.com
"He is the current offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks where he has helped Russell Wilson become one of the game's most consistent passers." - USA Today
"Cable has head coaching experience in both college and the NFL." - PFT
"Age is the main concern, but if you were trying to make a quick turnaround, I wouldn't be afraid to have him for two or three years. ... The discipline, the attention to detail, the toughness…it's all there still." —AFC general manager via Bleacher Report
"Like McDermott, Goodwin has knowledge of a scheme that took the NFL by storm a year ago. Unlike McDermott, Goodwin flies a little bit below the radar." - NFL.com
"While that might also lead to some inquiries on current Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, Guenther has the play-calling experience and is in his third season as the DC of a rock-solid Bengals franchise." - NFL.com
"His first shot coaching the Chiefs ended ugly, but he, too, has grown from that experience." - CBS
"There is a reason the most sought-after head coach on last year's market -- Adam Gase -- almost immediately tapped Joseph to run his defense. He might not be there long." - NFL.com
"Since his stint with the Rams, Linehan has enjoyed a lot of success as an offensive coordinator. His best work has come with the Dallas Cowboys—especially this year. He deserves a lot of credit for crafting an offense around a rookie quarterback and running back." - FOX
"Lynn has continued his rapid ascent into the conversation since taking over as offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills a few weeks ago" - NFL.com
"Interim head coach Doug Marrone just led this team to its most dominating and complete game of the Dave Caldwell era and, well, there are a lot of layers." - SB Nation
McDaniels has been a top-five candidate each of the last three years, but, according to multiple people who have spoken with him, he's intent on waiting out the right opportunity. - NFL.com
"Our best guess is that McDermott would have been the head coach of an NFL team this year -- if not for the Panthers' prolific run last season." - NFL.com
"He is a few years from being as hotly coveted as guys like McDaniels and Shanahan are now, but he is very much in that same mold. He's going to be the youngest coach in the NFL at some point, it's just a matter of when." - CBS
"Those who know Patricia insist he is a wonderfully personable coach who won't have to waste time scrapping current personnel just to fit a scheme." - NFL.com
"Reich is credited, along with Pederson and QB coach John DeFilippo, with helping to get Carson Wentz ready on very short notice this season." - ESPN
"As the team's defensive coordinator, Richard has continued the Seahwaks' reputation for defensive excellence. The team ranked 2nd and 5th in total defense in 2015 and 2016, respectively. They were 1st in points allowed in 2015, and 3rd this season." - SB Nation
"Schwartz likely has the best chance among Philly coaches to capitalize on the Eagles' 3-0 start" - NFL.com
"Shanahan is standing out above many of his counterparts thanks to his ability to continuously feed the ball to his best playmakers." - NFL.com
"It's the classic situation: Good candidate does solid job the first time around, gets a second chance, and you hope he learned from the first job. … I look at what he did from the start of the season to the end of the season with the defense in Tampa, and I know he can teach." —NFC executive via Bleacher Report
"Many of his players over the years have told me Toub should be leading an entire team, not merely one unit. He's a leader of men. He commands respect." - CBS
