Former Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos must not repeat mistake before hiring next HC

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 1/4/23

Words of advice for the Broncos: Stop hiring first-time head coaches. They can't handle the franchise's needs.

Since 2016, the Broncos have hired three first-time head coaches—Vance Joseph, Vic Fangio and Nathaniel Hackett. None made a playoff appearance, and none lasted more than three years.

Hackett had the shortest tenure, going 4-11 in 15 games. He became the second first-year HC not to make it through the entire season in 40 years.

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The short-lived failure highlighted another problem with Denver's previous hires. They overvalued a trending defensive or offensive coordinator.

While franchises want to land innovative minds, such as Rams head coach Sean McVay, he's an outlier with a pedigree. McVay's grandfather, John, was a 49ers front office executive from 1980-99, leading San Francisco to five Super Bowl titles.

The Broncos' previous flops didn't have the benefit of learning from football royalty or comprehensive knowledge to draw from.

Joseph was Miami's DC for one year before taking the job. Hackett didn't even call plays as an OC in Green Bay, and Fangio was too specialized, only serving as a DC throughout his career.

Consequently, all lacked the qualities required to solve Denver's vast array of problems. Each failed to win more than seven games in Denver.

To end a seven-year playoff drought and fix Russell Wilson, Denver (4-12) needs a proven HC, not one who's learning on the job.

Per ESPN's Josina Anderson, former Saints head coach Sean Payton and Falcons head coach Dan Quinn are candidates who interest Denver.

I'm told some initial names being discussed for the #Broncos head coach vacancy, per league source, include:

Dan Quinn
Darrell Bevell
Eric Bienemy
Sean Payton
Demeco Ryans
Shane Steichen
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 26, 2022