ESPN has recently reported that the Denver Broncos has hired New England's former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as head coach.

Josh McDaniels, 32 years old, will replace the departure of longtime Broncos head coach/GM Mike Shanahan. McDaniels, who most recently was the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, was picked ahead of a long list of candidates in the search which included the likes of Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris, Rex Ryan, Rick Dennison, and even Bill Romanowski, the former Broncos' linebacker.

McDaniels joined the New England Patriots in 2001 as a personal assistant. From 2002-2003, he served as the Patriot's defensive coaching assistant, working primarily with the defensive backs.

In 2004, he was promoted to work with Tom Brady as the quarterback coach and two years later, McDaniels officially took over the offensive coordinator position for the Patriots. Last season, under his guidance, the Patriots broke the NFL season record for most points scored and touchdown passes while guiding the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

This season, McDaniels led the Patriots to an 11-5 record without star QB Tom Brady. In his place, starting in his first game since high school, backup Matt Cassel threw for 3693 yards and 21 touchdowns. 

It is highly unlikely that Josh McDaniels will take over the duties of GM the same way as Mike Shanahan. It is unclear, however, that whether McDaniels will keep the existing coaching assistants of the Broncos, especially defensive coordinator Bob Slowik.