Mike Shanahan Out in Denver

The NFL’s second longest tenured coach was fired by the Denver Broncos today.  Mike Shanahan had been the Broncos coach since 1995.

His record as the coach in Denver was 146-89. He seemed to fall out of favor after his team lost a three game lead in the AFC’s Western Division. The most recent loss was a 52-21 embarrassing loss to the San Diego Chargers in the team's final game of the season.

Coach Shanahan did lead the Broncos to consecutive Super Bowl victories in 1998 and 1989.

“After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos. This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned,” owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement released by the team.

Shanahan was also relieved of his football operations job. He had a contract left with three years and about $20 million dollars left on it.

“I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time,” Bowlen said in the statement

The Broncos will hold a news conference Wednesday morning to make the official announcement. Shortly after that Mike Shanahan will speak to the media.

With his firing today Shanahan will probably become a major player to coach in Cleveland, New York, and Detroit.