The Denver Broncos‘ coaching search is picking up steam, with the organization interviewing many candidates already, including former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and current defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.
And the Broncos reportedly talked to another former standout college coach, in former Stanford Cardinal head coach David Shaw on Wednesday.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former Stanford head coach David Shaw interviewed with the Broncos on Wednesday regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Former Stanford HC David Shaw interviewed today with the Denver Broncos about their head coaching job, sources tell ESPN. Shaw spent nine years in the NFL, from 1997-2005, with the Eagles, Raiders and Ravens, and is interested in returning to the pro game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2023
Shaw famously resigned as the team’s head coach at Stanford after the school’s final game of the year against BYU, capping off a horrendous 3-9 season.
It was very clearly time for him to step away from the program, but there’s no doubt that he’s been one of the most prestigious coaches in college football over his 12-year tenure with the school.
Shaw ultimately finished with a 96-54 record at Stanford, which would undoubtedly qualify as “someone who is established”, which the Broncos are reportedly looking for in their head coaching search. He also has experience coaching at the NFL level, coaching the offensive side of the ball with the Philadelphia Eagles, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens organizations from 1997-2005.
Harbaugh or former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton are likely the preferred options for Denver, but the possibility of Shaw potentially returning to the NFL level is certainly interesting.
It is also worth noting that Shaw served as Stanford’s offensive coordinator under Harbaugh at Stanford for four seasons. It may be possible that this could be a play at enticing Harbaugh to become the head coach and have Shaw potentially as the team’s offensive coordinator.