It’s no secret the Denver Broncos could soon be looking for a new head coach.
Back-to-back losing seasons simply doesn’t cut it in Broncos Country. And without a miraculous second-half turnaround, that’s exactly what coach Vance Joseph will be looking at come December.
If such is the case, the next question becomes: Who do the Broncos bring in to right the ship?
While the most logical thing might be to look for candidates among the pro ranks (come to me, John Harbaugh), that’s not what we here at the Omelette of Champions prefer to do. This is a college football space, after all. If we were going to create a list of NFL coaches, we’d just assume leave it to the guys who actually know what they’re talking about.
Instead, let’s engage in some wild speculation and dip down into the college game for a few names that, while not guaranteed to produce the Broncos’ next Super Bowl title, would at least create a little buzz. Without further ado, here’s the list:
Nick Saban, Alabama — Saban may be a football cyborg incapable of experiencing joy, but man does he know how to win. For all the success he’s enjoyed in Tuscaloosa, however, a part of him must still stew over how badly things ended with the Miami Dolphins. A return to the NFL would allow him the chance to right the one wrong in an otherwise impeccable coaching career. He’s got to be getting bored with Bama anyway. Everyone else is.
Urban Meyer, Ohio State — While it must be conceded that Meyer is a bit of a creep, he’s also a brilliant football mind who’s won at every place he’s coached. Even Bowling Green.
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan — The clipboard, the khaki pants, the constant antagonism… There’s little doubt Harbaugh’s tenure with the Broncos would offer a constant stream of headlines. Lest we forget, Harbaugh was also just a goal-line conversion away from winning a Super Bowl title with Colin Kaepernick as his starting quarterback. Need I say more?
David Shaw, Stanford — Shaw’s deliberate brand of brutish offensive football is gridiron moksha for anyone who enjoys quality offensive line play. Come for the fourth-and-short fullback dives. Stay for the three tight-end sets and endless array of bunch formations.
Jeff Monken, Army — Who else desperately wants to see triple-option football at the NFL level? I can’t be the only one. Right? … Right?
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma — The young, up-and-comer is widely considered one of the top offensive minds in football. There’s already whispers he’ll join his old quarterback Baker Mayfield in Cleveland. Just make sure he hires Wade Phillips as his defensive coordinator.
Chip Kelly, UCLA — As poorly as Kelly’s first go-around in the NFL might be remembered, he was 20-12 in his first two seasons in Philadelphia with one division title and a playoff berth. Let’s just pretend like that one season in San Francisco never happened… as well as his current season with UCLA.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State — If you can win in Ames, Iowa, you can win anywhere.
Mike Leach, Washington State — The Air Raid is good, wholesome fun, and Leach can coach up quarterbacks with the best of them, but the real reason to bring him in would be the weekly press conferences.
— Matt Schubert, The Denver Post
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Scoreboard
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL: Kansas State 64, Denver 56
Full story | Box score
Must-Read
Broncos hit bye-week reset button aiming for second-half surge
After nine consecutive weeks of full football focus, the midseason bye provided the Broncos a necessary reprieve from the constants of NFL life, or as safety Su’a Cravens explained, “You get to step away from football and be a human for a little bit.” Read more…
Nuggets focusing on “positive mindset” instead of three-game losing streak
The frustration that simmered in the aftermath of the loss to Milwaukee had largely subsided by Monday morning, and the Nuggets did their best to distance themselves from their current three-game losing streak. Read more…
DeMarcus Walker hopes on-field “statement” equals more playing time.
Broncos defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker had to wait until Week 7 to play and he hopes his production in only 21 snaps (four tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery) warrants more opportunities starting Sunday at the Los Angeles Chargers. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ WATCH: Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay showcases his taekwondo skills in this Players’ Tribune video.
+ With Matt Paradis injured, how concerned should the Broncos be about their offensive line? One of many questions answered by Mark Kiszla during Monday’s Lunch Special.
+ The L.A. Chargers lost a key piece of their defense in advance of Sunday’s showdown with the Broncos.
+ How good is rookie Michael Porter Jr. going to be? Beat reporter Mike Singer answers that question and a few others in the first Nuggets Mailbag of the season.
+ November is marriage season in the major leagues. Just ask Colorado Rockies Charlie Blackmon, David Dahl and Trevor Story, all of whom are getting hitched this month.
+ CU Buffs football is hoping to charge at Utah through better a running attack.
+ CSU football will look to the future with an eye on the present against Utah State this weekend.
+ Tad Boyle wants to keep things simple in the CU men’s basketball team’s season opener against Drake.
+ Columbine junior Luke O’Brien became the first commit of CU basketball’s 2020 recruiting class.
+ Good news for those hoping to see the Winter Olympics come to Denver in 2030: one of its competitors dropped out of the running Monday.
+ Your MLB rookies of the year: Anaheim’s Shohei Ohtani and Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr.
+ Is that an Eli Manning sighting in New York?
Post Mailbag forms
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here.
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here.
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here.
By The Numbers
-39.5
The point spread Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook gave for a fictitious matchup between the Denver Broncos (-39.5) and Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide. And, yes, that means the Broncos would be favored. Read more…
Parting Shot
Former Broncos RB C.J. Anderson waived by Carolina Panthers
One season, you’re running for 1,000 yards, the next you’re looking for a job with a month-and-a-half to go. Such is the plight of ex-Broncos running back C.J. Anderson, who never found a role for himself in Carolina. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.