Shanahan on firing 'We didn't win'

Dec 31, 2008 - 7:45 PM ENGLEWOOD, Colorado (Ticker) -- Mike Shanahan might not have agreed with the decision, but on Wednesday he said he understood why he was dumped as coach of the Denver Broncos 24 hours earlier.

"Do you deserve it? Hey, we didn't win the last three years," Shanahan said. "We were 8-8 (this season). You're judged on your performance.

"It did catch me by surprise, but I understand the reasons behind it."

Shanahan, who won two Super Bowls and built the Denver Broncos into a perennial contender in his 14 years as head coach, was fired Tuesday by owner Pat Bowlen.

But Shanahan, who has been with the organization for 21 years, expressed no animosity toward Bowlen, calling him a "great friend."

"Best owner in sports," Shanahan said. "And I appreciate every opportunity you gave me to be successful."

Shanahan's stunning firing came two days after Broncos completed a collapse in which they lost their final three games to finish 8-8 and lose the AFC West to the San Diego Chargers. Denver became the first team in league history to blow a three-game lead with three games left.

While conceding he was not sure if he would have axed Shanahan had the team made the playoffs, Bowlen repeatedly said he felt it was time to go in a different direction.

"Unfortunately, I never believed there was (such a thing as) a coach for life," Bowlen said. "I have no doubts that Mike will go out and get another job and be very successful."

With the division title on the line, the Broncos were routed by the Chargers, 52-21, in Sunday's season finale.

It marked the third straight season that the Broncos missed the playoffs since they advanced to the conference title game in 2005. The Broncos have gone just 24-24 over the last three seasons.

"I don't think he was shocked; he was surprised," Bowlen said of Shanahan's reaction to the firing. "I think he understands why I made the decision.

"This is not because of one loss or one season. I think it was time to make a decision."

Shanahan spent 21 total years with the Broncos, coming to the franchise as an assistant under Dan Reeves in 1984. He said he actually felt empathy for Bowlen when he was told of the firing.

"I felt for Pat. It was harder on him to tell me than it was for me to accept," Shanahan said. "It does hurt. (But) tough times don't last, tough people do."

Shanahan certainly has carved out an enduring legacy in the Mile High city. One of two active coaches along with Bill Belichick to win multiple Super Bowls, Shanahan compiled a 138-86 regular-season record and an 8-5 playoff record with the Broncos.

His 138 wins rank 10th all-time for a coach with one franchise.

Shanahan etched himself as one of the great coaches in NFL history when he guided the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1997-98. Overall, he led the Broncos to seven playoff appearances and three division titles.

However, Denver has just one postseason win since the last Super Bowl championship.

"Bottom line is, you get it done or you don't get it done, and we haven't got it done," Shanahan said. "The expectations are very high, and they should be."

Shanahan, who just completed his 14th season, was the NFL's second-longest tenured coach behind Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Titans.

Also fired as the club's executive vice president of football operations, the 56-year-old Shanahan had three years worth about $20 million remaining on his contract.

Shanahan said he will definitely coach again, whether it be at the pro or collegiate level, and said he has no timetable in mind.

A future Hall of Famer, Shanahan likely will be in demand around the league. The New York Jets, Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns all have coaching vacancies.

"I'll weigh the options when they come and make a decision," he said. "It depends on ownership. People who are willing to compete, who want it as bad as you do."

Considered one of the best offensive minds in football, Shanahan enjoyed his most success with the Broncos in the 1990s with Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway at the helm.

However, Shanahan has failed to enjoy the same postseason success without Elway. Since Elway retired after leading the Broncos to their second Super Bowl in 1998, Shanahan has been to the playoff four times but managed just a 1-4 postseason record over that span.

Elway's name was brought up to both Bowlen and Shanahan as a possible successor with the Broncos.

"I think it would be great," Shanahan said. "If I was a free agent and John was here, I'd sign for no money."

Bowlen, who is a co-owner of the Arena Football League's Colorado Crush with Elway, said he has not talked with the legendary quarterback about the opening.

"I haven't thought about who's going to be the next coach. That process has not started yet," Bowlen said. "I want someone to come in here and win a Super Bowl. That's my No. 1 goal. That's our goal every year."

And that's why Shanahan finds himself out of a job today.