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Rick Dennison - Head Coach

Pop quiz - out of all the head coach candidates mentioned, who is the only one with expereince on defense, special teams, offense, and with longstanding ties to the organization?

Star-divide

Yesterday I gave a short description of why I thought RD might be considered for the HC position (many others also suggested this). Then this morning the DP reports that he will be interviewed on Monday. Here's why I think MHR should give Mr. Dennison some love.

Qualifications

After attending HS at Rocky Mountain in Fort Collins, RD played TE at CSU while earning his degree in Civil Engineering. No fluff course there to pad his eligibility. After earning his MS in Engineering RD was signed by the Broncos as a FA. A special teams standout he converted to linebacker. In 1984, his first year as a starter, he had 164 tackles and 3 sacks. He continued to be among the team leaders in tackles throughout his career at linebacker, while playing with Bronco legends Randy Gradishar, Tom Jackson, Dennis Smith, Steve Atwater, Karl Meklinberg and Rulon Jones.

After a stint as a HS coach RD joined the Broncos as an offensive QC specialist in 1995. In 1997 he was promoted to STs coach. Under RD the Broncos consistently were leaders in both average drive start and average opponent stating position. The Broncos were also leaders in punting return average, net punting average and several other ST statistics.

In 2000 RD was made O-line coach after Alex Gibbs left. While AG was the architect of the zone blocking scheme, it was under RD that the Broncos earned the reputation for , "insert running back gain 1000 yds." Year after year RD's O-line paved the way for new RBs to gain 1000 yds.

RD was promoted to OC for the 2006 season. Despite the lack of a feature back, and featuring a rookie QB, RD's offense continued to pound opposing defenses and lead the league in numerous offensive categories.

Pros

  1. Would work well with Goodmans/Xander - RD already has a good working relationship with them;
  2. Continue tradition of ZB/1-cut running - a reasonable arguement could be made, based on the development of the Ryans that the student (RD) has surpassed the master (AG);
  3. Strong special teams backgound - STs were a strenght when RD was coaching them and they have been a weakness ever since;
  4. Strong defensive background - while he hasn't coached defense RD played LB for 8 years under Joe Collier and Wade Phillips; not the best athlete on the field he excelled based on his intelligence and understanding of the game;
  5. Knowledge of winning - as a player for the Broncos teams that lost SBs and a coach on the teams that won, RD knows what it takes to make it to the next level and knows the frustration of falling short.
  6. Good with young players - note the development of the Ryans;
  7. Deep ties to the organization - RD bleeds blue and orange, it's the only franchise he's worked for.;
  8. Ability - RD has been an overachiever throughout his career; whether as a TE converted to LB, a defensive player coaching offense, or a STs coach he gets the job done.

Cons

  1. No experience as NFL HC - but then again none of the candidates do.
  2. Not a defensive expert - as HC he would need to find a damn good DC, a Gregg Williams or such, but as a former LB he should be able to recognize a good DC;
  3. Lacks sex appeal - despite his deep ties to the organization he probably isn't the guy who would get the fans excited;
  4. Maybe too entrenched in status quo - would DC bring the deep fundamental changes necessary to retunr the Broncos to the eleite level or would it be more of the same?

So, MHR are the real experts on the Broncos. What do you, the real experts, think about RD as HC?

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

4 recs | Comment 14 comments

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No, but not because he isn't a good candidate.

I would rather he stay focused on the OL, so we never get too far from what Gibbs brought us. Even if we have to pay Turner (RB’s coach) and Dennision a little more to show some respect for not promoting them, those two are just too valuable where they’re at.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by hoosierteacher on Jan 3, 2009 5:32 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Actually meant to list that as a con

One of the biggest downsides to RD as HC is who would take over the O-line. I could make an argument that RD is better at ZB that AG now.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Jan 3, 2009 5:53 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great write up

Dennison is a great guy. I’m still for Spagnuolo, but would sleep soundly if I heard Mr. Bowlen had named Dennison as HC. (And for those who aren’t aware, CSU is one of the top engineering schools in the country.)

Anyone looking for a sign will find one. JB Freeman
All signs fail in time of drought. James M. Green

by bradley on Jan 3, 2009 5:50 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I would be happy with Spags if...

he keeps Dennison and Turner. I know Bates is supposed to be the next new things, but Dennison and Turner are the oxes that keep this wagon moving.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Jan 3, 2009 6:03 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

+1 for SlowWG

My image is the Circa 1960-’61 Broncos home uniform sock. Some what folk lore to me ... but referred to as the clown sock by my Dad.

by YellowStoneBronco on Jan 4, 2009 12:04 AM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wouldn't be unhappy

With Dennison as an HC. But we must do everything we can to keep him because he’s an integral part of the O.

by Muse_Cubed on Jan 3, 2009 5:51 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Seems like Bowlen is looking for a big time shake up.

I don’t see Dennison as being the quite change that Bowlen is looking for.

Off topic…the guys on NBC just said that they spoke to Shanahan and he said that he would only coach in 2009 if it was the ‘perfect situation’. They said it seemed most likely he would sit 2009 out and return in 2010.

I am the eggman...they are the eggman...I am the Mermaid...Goo Goo Gajoob!!!

by PosterNutbag on Jan 3, 2009 5:58 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Great minds think alike!

I added a link to your post and this discussion to the Dennison section of the front page offensive assitants post.

We must have been working on these at the same time!

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by styg50 on Jan 3, 2009 5:59 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Loved your write-up...

I think we forget about all the position coaches who make it work (not HT, but the rest of us).

by SlowWhiteGuy on Jan 3, 2009 6:04 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Love Dennison

Still would prefer keeping him as OC and bringing in Spags if at all possible (Note to Pat: Please make it possible!) given how much can change in the league via injuries, etc, my thinking is that we are an RB and perhaps a third WR away from a super bowl offense, and RD can help to keep us there. We need the D to go with it (and a much better ST program) and we’ll be deep in the playoffs more years than not. Keeping RD where he is and adding the defensive piece that e need seems the logical next step.

Jim Goodman for Broncos GM!

by broncobear on Jan 3, 2009 6:09 PM MST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Maybe I'm a bit of a homer...

…but I think we are a speedy RB away from an all-time great caliber offense. We have three receivers that are as good as any in the league and two tight ends that may not be the best, but are both top ten in the league and fit our system very well. Even at RB we have Hillis, who has the potential to be a very productive player for us. I would be surprised if we don’t go with a two back system next year, and Hillis is the perfect power back for such a system. The two-back system works great in today’s NFL (ex Carolina or Tennessee) and unless you have Adrian Peterson it’s hard to stick with just one running back.

I will be very disappointed if we change anything on the offensive side of the ball, as continuity is necessary to keep our offense on track. Dennison would be a good pick for HC to keep continuity with the offensive system, but if we can keep him as the line coach and hire a HC who is pretty hands off of the offensive side of the ball then I will be happy.

by hai17 on Jan 3, 2009 6:35 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The two-back system works great in today’s NFL (ex Carolina or Tennessee) and unless you have Adrian Peterson it’s hard to stick with just one running back.

Heck, even the Vikings use Chester from time to time to spell AD.

by phantom818 on Jan 3, 2009 6:39 PM MST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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