Broncos head coach candidate power rankings

In the past week, George Paton’s spent more time traveling the country than staying put in Colorado.

Paton, of course, hasn’t been traveling for leisure, he’s been conducting numerous interviews from Dallas to Green Bay to the East Coast.

With a total of 10 candidates, he’s made his search exhaustive and thorough, interviewing a range of candidates.

But he’s got to narrow his list down to one.

Over a week into Denver’s search, a clear frontrunner has emerged. Here’s DNVR Broncos’ head coach power rankings for the Broncos’ open job.

1. Dan Quinn

Ranking average: 1

• Zac: 1
• Mase: 1
• RK: 1

The former Atlanta Falcons’ head coach, and current Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, began the search as the favorite and remains the unanimous favorite still. Not only does Quinn have previous experience as a head coach—and a 43-42 winning record too—he has the most important trait Paton is looking for in his next head coach—Leadership.

From talking to people that have spent time around Quinn—both as a defensive coordinator and head coach—it is clear he possesses the ability to lead and inspire an entire team. Despite being a defensive-minded coach, inside the Broncos facility, Quinn is not viewed as Vic Fangio 2.0 because of his approach to leading the entire team, not just the defense.

Additionally, Paton has been a fan of Quinn for many years. Now he has the chance to hire him. And all signs point to that happening.

2. Nathaniel Hackett

Ranking average: 3

• Zac: 2
• Mase: 5
• RK: 2

Green Bay’s offensive coordinator is lively, energetic, passionate and positive. He also has an impressive football resume. Not only has Hackett helped get the most out of Aaron Rodgers, he led the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game with Blake Bortles as the quarterback behind the NFL’s best rushing attack in 2017 as the offensive coordinator.

While he’s viewed as a top candidate, one of the questions that remains by some around the league is will his infectious personality become too much as the leader of an entire team, especially when a team is struggling.

T-3. Kevin O’Connell

Ranking average: 4

• Zac: 3
• Mase: 3
• RK: 6

The Rams’ offensive coordinator has never been a full-time play-caller in the NFL. Yet he’s viewed as one of, if not the, hottest up-and-coming head coaching candidates in the NFL.

With the stamp of approval from both Sean McVay and Brandon Staley, it’s only a matter of time until O’Connell makes the jump to being a head coach. While O’Connell doesn’t call the plays, he’s instrumental in developing the offensive game plan and working with Matthew Stafford.

There is a belief inside the Broncos facility that out of all of the candidates, O’Connell may be the one to knock the interview out of the park, similar to what Kyle Shanahan did in his interview with Denver back in 2017.

T-3. Jerod Mayo

Ranking average: 4

• Zac: 4
• Mase: 4
• RK: 4

At just 35 years old, it’s not inconceivable to imagine Mayo still playing football this season. But instead, the former first-round pick is one of the hottest head coach candidates in the country.

With his lack of experience—only coaching in the NFL for three seasons as a positional coach with New England—Mayo’s proven leadership is a clear reason why he’s a top candidate. That happens to be exactly what Paton is looking for.

While not the favorite to land the job, the Broncos view Mayo as someone who could wow Paton in the interview process enough to get serious consideration for the job. If he doesn’t land a head coaching job, he will be a top candidate to become a defensive coordinator—which Denver will strongly consider—but the team isn’t planning on that with how many interviews he has lined up for the top job.

5. Brian Callahan

Ranking average: 4.3

• Zac: 6
• Mase: 2
• RK: 5

Callahan is just 37, yet the Bengals’ offensive coordinator already has 12 years of experience in the NFL. Half of that time, he’s been with the Denver Broncos.

Not only does Callahan have the connection with Denver—where he worked from 2010 to 2015—but he grew up around the game with his dad, Bill, having coached both in the college and pro game since 1980.

One of the reasons Denver is enticed by Callahan is he’s helped develop Joe Burrow into one of the best young quarterbacks in the game. Additionally, Callahan’s been Zac Taylor’s right-hand man in Cincinatti and has had that role since Taylor took over the job as a rookie head coach in 2019. While Callahan would be a first-time head coach if Denver hired him, people in the Broncos organization are hopeful his experience around Taylor would help his transition to the same role in Denver.

6. Kellen Moore

Ranking average: 5

• Zac: 5
• Mase: 7
• RK: 3

Midway through the season, the 33-year-old offensive mastermind surely would have been higher on these rankings. But Moore has cooled a bit, especially recently, around NFL circles. While the former quarterback will still have multiple interviews, he’s not a lock to become a head coach this year.

In his three years in Dallas, Moore has created a top-five offense in Dallas twice. The production is unquestionably there. But the question that the Broncos have to figure out—and one that has been debated inside headquarters—is can Moore have this much sustained success without Dak Prescott and Co? Moore was able to get passable quarterback play out of Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci and Garett Gilbert in 2020—they combined for 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions—but has also never had to develop a quarterback.

The other major question with Moore is can he lead an entire team with just four years of coaching experience. These questions don’t point to Moore being a top candidate in Denver.

7. Aaron Glenn

Ranking average: 7

• Zac: 7
• Mase: 6
• RK: 8

On the surface, Glenn’s resume, specifically last year, doesn’t jump off the page. In 2021, his first season as a defensive coordinator, the Lions’ defense was one of the worst in the NFL.

But Paton isn’t nearly as concerned with that as he is with getting a good football coach and an even better leader. Denver’s general manager has admired Glenn from afar and is intrigued with his leadership abilities. Players and coaches have raved about the former first-round pick and that’s one of the reason why, despite Detroit’s lousy season last year, there isn’t any talk of him being fired by the Lions.

Saying that, hiring a coordinator from a team that struggled mightily last year would be a very tough sell to Broncos Country.

8. Luke Getsy

Ranking average: 8.7

• Zac: 8
• Mase: 9
• RK: 9

It’s hard to imagine the Packers’ 37-year-old passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach landing Denver’s head coaching job. However, it’s not difficult to imagine him becoming the Broncos’ offensive coordinator when another head coach is hired.

Getsy would be an obvious offensive coordinator selection if the team hired Hackett, but it has also been mentioned he could potentially join Quinn’s staff if the frontrunner is, in fact, hired.

T-9. Eric Bieniemy

Ranking average: 9

• Zac: 9
• Mase: 8
• RK: 10

Andy Reid’s right-hand man has been one of the NFL’s hottest head coach candidates the past few offseasons. Not only has he been the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator—and helped Reid design Kansas City’s potent offense and call plays—but the 52-year old also assisted in developing Patrick Mahomes.

However, during Bieniemy’s time at the University of Colorado, both as a player and coach, he had numerous off-field issues. At times, Bieniemy didn’t display top-notch leadership abilities either.

A person can certainly change—and all indications are that he has—but with so many others on this list having a track record of great leadership, Bieniemy’s past hurts his candidacy, especially when leadership is the No. 1 thing George Paton is looking for in Denver’s next head coach.

T-9. Jonathan Gannon

Ranking average: 9

• Zac: 10
• Mase: 10
• RK: 7

The Eagles’ defensive coordinator is viewed by many around the league as the next Brandon Staley—a bright young defensive mind. Much like Staley, Gannon only has one year of experience as a defensive coordinator under his belt.

However, Gannon’s leadership opportunities have been limited throughout his career, making him a tough sell to the Broncos. What Gannon has going for him is he worked with Paton in Minnesota from 2014-2017 as the Vikings’ assistant defensive backs coach.

The 39-year old certainly has a bright career ahead of him, but it’s highly unlikely it will be as the Broncos’ head coach in 2022.