The Broncos acquired a significant amount of goodwill among their fan base by giving the keys to the franchise to a retired Hall of Fame quarterback who has done nothing to prove that he can drive it.
And now they may be exhausting some of that goodwill.
The latest name on the list of potential coaching candidates is John Fox, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post. Fox, who finished his nine-year run in Carolina with a 2-14 record, joins a chase that includes interim coach Eric Studesville, Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, Texans offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, and Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter.
Because Fox remains under contract with the Panthers, the Broncos technically had to request permission to interview him. And because he’s the head coach of the Panthers, the Panthers technically can deny the request. But with owner Jerry Richardson announcing that Fox and his staff won’t be back, the Panthers gain nothing by forcing Fox to finish out the final few weeks of his deal.
Widely respected in league circles, it nevertheless will be a challenge to sell Fox’s recent accomplishments to the Denver faithful. Since a surprising loss to the Cardinals in the divisional round of the 2008 NFC playoffs, the Panthers have underachieved and at times flat-out struggled.
The Broncos meanwhile seem to find themselves picking through B-and-C-list candidates, which possibly speaks to a general reluctance by men with options to work with and under an inexperienced John Elways and a marginally experienced G.M. in Brian Xanders.