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We’ve got the news straight from the Horse’s tweet: Moments ago, newly minted football operations veep and Twitter fan John Elway revealed that the Denver Broncos have hired John Fox to succeed the disastrous Josh McDaniels as the team’s head coach.
Which is good in some ways, not as good in others…
Here’s Big John’s initial tweet:
I am excited to announce that John Fox has agreed to terms to become the 14th head coach in Denver Broncos history.less than a minute ago via webJohn Elwayjohnelway
Denver, make your New Year’s Resolution Count!
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The positives? The Broncos didn’t make the same mistake they did two years ago and hire an offensive expert when the squad desperately needs a defensive makeover. Fox’s favorite letter is D. In addition, he’s a steady, tough-to-ruffle presence who’s demonstrated the ability to remake and remodel a dismal squad. The year before he came aboard as top man for the Carolina Panthers, the franchise had managed just one victory in sixteen tries — but he promptly righted the ship.
And how. The Panthers capped the 2003 season by nearly winning the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
In recent years, however, the Panthers have limped along, growing progressively more mediocre. Indeed, the only reason the Broncos don’t have the number one pick in the upcoming NFL draft is because Carolina was even worse in 2010, managing just two victories. Talk about the circle of life (and death) from a coaching perspective.
Why were the Panthers so bad? The defense wasn’t terrible, but the offense set new standards for ineptitude in part because Fox and his assistants failed to properly develop the team’s young quarterback, Jimmy Clausen. And if you haven’t noticed, the Broncos have a fledgling signal caller of their own who needs some work…
Fox, then, is something of a castoff — but considering that most higher profile choices showed no interest in undertaking what’s clearly a major reclamation project, he’s about the best the Broncos could do under the circumstances.
Not too sexy. Not that exciting. But also not that bad. Don’t take it from me, though. Check out the rest of John Elway’s Twitter pitch:
Coach Fox is a great fit for us not only with his coaching ability but also with his personality.less than a minute ago via webJohn Elwayjohnelway
He is a dynamic and proven leader who will energize our entire organization.less than a minute ago via webJohn Elwayjohnelway
John has coached great defenses, turned teams around and been to Super Bowls.less than a minute ago via webJohn Elwayjohnelway
We couldn’t be more excited to have him lead the Denver Broncos.less than a minute ago via webJohn Elwayjohnelway
More from our Sports archive: “Top 10 ways Josh McDaniels has destroyed the Denver Broncos.”
