In a move that was both sudden and carefully planned, the Broncos management team of Pat Bowlen and Joe Ellis ended the brief but stormy era of Josh McDaniels by firing the head coach Monday afternoon.
McDaniels was called into Bowlen’s office at 4 p.m. and was informed of the move by the team’s 27-year owner and right-hand man, Ellis.
“They said they decided to make a change,” McDaniels said from his home Monday night. “It was very complimentary. It was a very nice discussion. I thanked them for the opportunity they gave me and my family. I told them I respected their decision.”
The Broncos, who announced the firing on their Twitter feed late in the afternoon, have called a news conference for 11 a.m. today to discuss the firing.
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun is among the candidates to replace McDaniels, as is Minnesota Vikings interim head coach Leslie Frazier. When the Broncos went through the search process to replace longtime head coach Mike Shanahan just two years ago, Bowlen and Ellis came away impressed with Frazier.
Until they have hired a new coach, the Broncos announced, Eric Studesville will be their interim head coach for the final four games of the season.
Full story: McDaniels fired as Broncos coach after controversy, losses pile up – The Denver Post