Quote:He's another of the Shanahan/Elway/Kubiak guys. On the one hand, he does have a ton of experience all over the field (played linebacker and has coached special teams, offensive line, quarterbacks and coordinated). On the other, he's got sort of a Gary Kubiak feel to him: the guy's been an assistant coach in the NFL since 1995 and has, for the most part, been coaching good teams. He's got eight years (including 2015) as an offensive coordinator under his belt, plus four as a special teams coach.

 

Why hasn't he gotten a head job yet?

 

I did like the idea of Dennison as an offensive coordinator candidate last year because of his experience coaching both the line and quarterbacks--two areas that I thought needed the most attention.

John Harbaugh was a coordinator/assistant for 24 years before becoming Head Coach of the Ravens in 2008.


Sean Payton coached 18 years before getting the head coach gig for the Saints.


I do understand some apprehension -- Gus was a coordinator for 20 years before becoming a head coach.  But Rex Ryan also took 20 years.   Todd Bowles was a coordinator for 18 years before becoming a head coach.  Andy Reid spent 15 years as a coach before getting a head coaching gig.  John Fox became a defensive backs coach in 1979 and didn't get a head coaching gig until 22 years later in 2002.  Bruce Arians got his first position as a position coach in 1978, then got his first head coaching gig 35 years later in 2013.  

---