Denver Broncos Head Coach Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position

The Denver Broncos were in the market for a new coach after firing John Fox on Jan. 12. While other teams are interested in former offensive coordinator Adam Gase, and the Oakland Raiders have hired Jack Del Rio, the Broncos reportedly have agreed to terms with Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak to become the 15th coach in franchise history. 

Continue for updates.

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Kubiak to Become Broncos Head Coach

Sunday, Jan. 18

Gary Kubiak is set to become the next head coach of the Broncos according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post:

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Broncos finalizing 4-year contract with Gary Kubiak to make him head coach. He will be introduced as soon as Tuesday.

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) January 19, 2015"

ESPN's Adam Schefter would later report that Kubiak has agreed to take the job:

Bob Allen of KHOU 11 in Houston snapped a picture of Kubiak and John Elway celebrating the news:

Schefter had reported earlier on Sunday that Kubiak is expected to leave the Ravens for the Broncos if offered the team's head coach position:

On Jan. 16, Schefter reported Kubiak was expected to meet with the Broncos on Sunday:

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora followed Schefter to report Kubiak moved into pole position in Denver:

Kubiak has been a top target for the Broncos since the job came open. Schefter reported on Jan. 15 the team had requested an interview with the Ravens offensive coordinator. 

NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Albert Breer (via Dan Hanzus of NFL.com) provided additional details surrounding the Broncos' request to interview Kubiak:

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NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that the Broncos have put in a formal request to speak with Kubiak about their head-coaching vacancy. The Ravens felt obligated to accept that request, according to NFL Media's Albert Breer, and Baltimore coach John Harbaugh and Kubiak will discuss the situation on Thursday morning, according to a team source.

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Schefter first linked Kubiak to Denver on Jan. 13. On Jan. 11, Kubiak commented on staying in Baltimore in an official news release on the Ravens' official website:

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It is flattering and humbling to be invited to interview for a number of NFL head coaching positions, and I greatly appreciate these opportunities...But I have decided to stay with the Ravens. [...] This is a special organization and we, like [Head] Coach [John] Harbaugh says, are building something great. I want to be a part of that and contribute in whatever ways I can.

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Broncos Won't Interview Austin 

Friday, Jan. 16

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirmed reports the Broncos wouldn't interview Teryl Austin:

ESPN's Jeff Legwold first reported Thursday that the interview might not happen:

On Jan. 13, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Denver requested permission to interview Austin.

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Broncos to Interview NFL Secondary Coach Vance Joseph

Thursday, Jan. 15

Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported a new candidate on Denver's radar:

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The Broncos have set out to compile a well-rounded group of head coaching candidates to replace John Fox. As the Broncos made numerous calls and gathered information, they discovered Vance Joseph is a potential rising star among the NFL coaching ranks.

The Broncos will interview Joseph for their head coaching position, according to two NFL sources.

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Broncos Interview Gase

Thursday, Jan. 15

The Broncos announced they interviewed offensive coordinator Adam Gase:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network indicated the two sides met Wednesday, but that it wasn't a formal interview. 

Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole later analyzed the front-runners for the Broncos' head coaching job:

On Jan. 14, the 49ers informed Gase they were going with Jim Tomsula for their head coaching vacancy, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer.

On Jan. 13, Jeff Darlington of NFL.com noted there was "no sense within organization what Gase will decide." This all contradicts CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora, who reported on Jan. 12 the team wasn't interested in internal candidates, including Gase.

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Elway Comments on HC Search

Tuesday, Jan. 13

John Elway spoke about moving on from John Fox during a press conference Tuesday, via Around the NFL:

Elway spoke on links to Jack Del Rio and Adam Gase as well, per Troy Renck of The Denver Post:

The former Broncos quarterback also touched on qualities he's looking for from his next head coach, per Jon Heath of Mile High Report and Around the NFL:

Del Rio would eventually be named the Raiders' head coach Jan. 14. 

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Broncos Begin Head Coach Hunt

Monday, Jan. 12

The Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox agreed to part ways Monday, less than 24 hours after a 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round of the 2015 NFL playoffs.   

The team announced the news via Twitter:

Fox guided Denver to four consecutive AFC West division titles in as many years as coach, and now, the hunt is on for a successor.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports the latest details regarding the Broncos' sudden vacancy:

Offensive coordinator Adam Gase is a logical in-house candidate to replace Fox, but the above information suggests general manager John Elway may opt for an external alternative. A reunion with former coach Mike Shanahan, who coached Elway to two Super Bowl wins, also doesn't appear likely. Mike Klis of The Denver Post reports that Shanahan is not a candidate for the job. 

In addition, the Broncos informed their entire staff that they are free to pursue other opportunities, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

The status of legendary quarterback Peyton Manning looms large. Schefter had some interesting information that could have contributed to Manning's diminishing form:

If Manning is healthy and capable of making the necessary throws, there's reason to believe that Denver is still going to be a top AFC contender next year. That should excite any potential coaching candidate, but Elway will have to sell the top-tier options on the Broncos' ability to win right away.

Schefter reports on one candidate the team is interested in interviewing: 

Since Denver's opening is so fresh, any other prospective options would be pure speculation. Defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has past experience as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, presenting another possible solution without consulting anyone outside of the organization; however, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report believes that isn't likely to happen:

Whoever takes over for Fox, who went 46-18 at the helm and led the Broncos to a Super Bowl appearance, ought to be prepared for championship expectations.