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As of Tuesday night, word in the league was that the Broncos were close to making a decision on their next head coach. Five days later, a report has surfaced that they are basically going back to zero.
ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Broncos have recently conducted research on other candidates, in case the search for coaching needs to be expanded. One candidate, according to the report, is Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
That’s not normal. Three weeks after the end of the season and five weeks after the position became vacant shouldn’t be the time to do more research on other candidates.
It’s unclear why the Broncos appear to be spinning their wheels. Nobody (except interim coach Jerry Rosburg) wants the job? Aren’t they pumping enough Wal-Mart money into the position?
Or are there too many cooks in the kitchen? Do some in the ownership group want one candidate (like 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans), but others want someone else?
Regardless of the specific reason, the perception is that they either can’t get who they want or they don’t know who they want.
And the process must be frustrating for CEO Greg Penner (pictured). Though it’s sold to several reporters as “due diligence,” the fact that Penner boarded a plane and spoke to Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh in person — after Harbaugh decided to stay after a virtual interview — suggests that the Broncos Harbaugh wanted more than Harbaugh wanted the Broncos. Penner is sufficiently adept at looks and power dynamics to realize that going after Harbaugh looks and feels very different than Harbaugh coming to him.
Despite the narrative they’re pushing the media, it feels like the Broncos chased Harbaugh, Harbaugh said “no thanks,” the Broncos chased him again, and Harbaugh said “no thanks” again.
Chances are it’s about the money. The Denver ownership group is by far the wealthiest in the league. It’s possible that the frontrunners (however many there are) expect a little more than the usual amount of lettuce before accepting the job.
For example, it’s a given that former Saints coach Sean Payton wants at least $20 million a year. How can owners plausibly claim that they can’t afford it?
Inflating the expected prize is the fact that the next coach will be tasked with trying to fix quarterback Russell Wilson. It’s basically hazard pay at this point.
Bums and the rest of the Wal-Mart moguls get a lesson in the dangers of owning and operating an NFL team. Big decisions have to be made, time is short and perception quickly becomes reality.
Currently, the perception is that the Broncos can’t get who they want, don’t know who they want, or both.
Here’s an idea. If the search does indeed languish, take a close look at what the Bengals defense is doing against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs tonight, and maybe consider hiring Cincinnati defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo even if they wait two more weeks would have to interview him.