Tag: coaching staff

Broncos expected to hire Pat Shurmur as new offensive coordinator

The Broncos are expected to hire former Giants head coach Pat Shurmur to be their new offensive coordinator.

After parting ways with Rich Scangarello on Sunday, the Denver Broncos plan to make Pat Shurmur their new offensive coordinator, according to multiple media reports. Shurmur chose Denver over the Chicago Bears and several other teams, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.

Raanan noted on Twitter that the New York Giants — Shurmur’s former team — were “high on” quarterback Drew Lock leading up to last year’s NFL draft. New York ended up selecting quarterback Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick and the Broncos selected Lock in the second round.

Shurmur, 54, has been coaching in the NFL since 1999. After serving as the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2017 and earning Assistant Coach of the Year honors, he was named the Giants’ head coach in 2018. New York struggled under Shurmur, going 9-23 over the last two years.

Shurmur’s record as a head coach is not impressive (19-46) but he is a respected, experienced offensive mind. Denver now has two assistant coaches with head coach experience — Shurmur and offensive line coach Mike Munchak, who served as the Titans’ head coach from 2011-2013.

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Texans OC Tim Kelly says Bill O’Brien taught him everything he knows about evaluating talent

Houston Texans first-year offensive coordinator Tim Kelly says that coach Bill O’Brien schooled him on every aspect of talent evaluation.

Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien has his team atop the AFC South (6-3) and is one of the best teams in the conference.

Part of the secret sauce has come from the crucial and unexpected trades O’Brien influenced from Aug. 8 onward. While he’s taking criticism for some of his roster decisions — trading Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle for Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo, and a thrid-round pick — his roster additions have worked in Houston’s favor.

Trades for running backs Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde along with left tackle Laremy Tunsil have the Texans as the fifth-ranked rushing offense.

Receiver Kenny Stills has been tremendous in his role with the offense, and the midseason move for cornerback Gareon Conley along with the waiver claim for former first-round cornerback Vernon Hargreaves show that the Texans are committed to boosting the talent at positions that needed it.

Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly has taken notes.

“All I know is that as far as with him and personnel, he’s taught me everything I know about evaluating talent,” Kelly told reporters Thursday.

What O’Brien has taught everyone through the first 11 weeks of the season is that the club doesn’t believe they’re out of it, and they will constantly churn their roster.

Being a coach in the NFL comes with the criticism, whether justifiable or not, and a coach is only as good as the next win or bad as the next loss. O’Brien has been a hot seat nominee, but his personnel moves have made the Texans a hot ticket.