Brian Damage
01-14-2011, 12:08 AM
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — John Fox turned around a bumbling team before. The Broncos are counting on him to do it again.
Fox was picked over four other candidates to replace Josh McDaniels, who was fired Dec. 6 amid Denver's worst slide in four decades and an embarrassing videotaping scandal.
The lost season led to a restructuring of the front office and the return of Hall of Famer John Elway as chief football executive. On Thursday, Elway hired Fox, 55, the former Panthers coach.
"For what this building needed, John Fox was the perfect fit for us," Elway said outside team headquarters before zipping off in his Bentley on Thursday evening.
"The one thing I saw in John, he had great football wisdom," Elway said. "And I think that comes with the experience that he has. But not only does he have it on the defensive side, but overall his football wisdom is what won us over."
Elway broke the news of Fox's hiring on Twitter in keeping with the organization's new emphasis on transparency.
"I am very thankful to (owner) Pat Bowlen and John Elway for giving me the opportunity to coach a football team with such a proud tradition," Fox said in a statement. "The Broncos have a culture of winning, and I am excited to continue that legacy. I can't wait to get to work."
The Broncos are coming off a franchise-worst 4-12 season. The Panthers had completed a 1-15 season when Fox arrived in 2002.
He led them to a 7-9 mark in his first year and to the Super Bowl in his second season.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/fox-to-try-another-overhaul-in-denver/1145417
Fox was picked over four other candidates to replace Josh McDaniels, who was fired Dec. 6 amid Denver's worst slide in four decades and an embarrassing videotaping scandal.
The lost season led to a restructuring of the front office and the return of Hall of Famer John Elway as chief football executive. On Thursday, Elway hired Fox, 55, the former Panthers coach.
"For what this building needed, John Fox was the perfect fit for us," Elway said outside team headquarters before zipping off in his Bentley on Thursday evening.
"The one thing I saw in John, he had great football wisdom," Elway said. "And I think that comes with the experience that he has. But not only does he have it on the defensive side, but overall his football wisdom is what won us over."
Elway broke the news of Fox's hiring on Twitter in keeping with the organization's new emphasis on transparency.
"I am very thankful to (owner) Pat Bowlen and John Elway for giving me the opportunity to coach a football team with such a proud tradition," Fox said in a statement. "The Broncos have a culture of winning, and I am excited to continue that legacy. I can't wait to get to work."
The Broncos are coming off a franchise-worst 4-12 season. The Panthers had completed a 1-15 season when Fox arrived in 2002.
He led them to a 7-9 mark in his first year and to the Super Bowl in his second season.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/fox-to-try-another-overhaul-in-denver/1145417