I’m cautiously optimistic that John Fox was a smart hire for the Denver Broncos considering the circumstances. The move will make even more sense if Fox winds up retaining Mike McCoy as the team’s offensive coordinator.
McCoy worked under Fox for seven seasons in Carolina as his quarterbacks coach and then passing game coordinator. McCoy remains under contract in Denver as offensive coordinator. By keeping McCoy, Fox could provide continuity to an offense that did plenty of good things the last two years. Installing a new offense could be difficult, especially if there is a long work stoppage.
The Chiefs were expected to make a run at McCoy for their offensive coordinator job, with a few writers believing he was the favorite to get the job. Perhaps Fox will want McCoy to stay.
Fox hasn’t consistently shown he’s a difference-making head coach; his Panthers teams were over .500 three times in his nine seasons. But he makes more sense in Denver than their other candidates for three reasons.
1. He’s experienced. The combination of John Elway and G.M. Brian Xanders could use someone that’s been around the league a few times.
2. Fox has shown he can turn around a terrible situation quickly. He took over a 1-15 Panthers team and they improved to seven wins, and then made the Super Bowl the following year.
3. Most importantly, Fox can address the team’s defense. Denver’s other finalists were offensive minded. Offense hasn’t been the problem in Denver under Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels, but this is an organization that has been clueless about building a quality defense.
If Fox keeps McCoy, perhaps the Broncos can have the best of both worlds.
