Josh McDaniels is introduced as Broncos head coach. (AP Photos)
Josh McDaniels was introduced as Denver Broncos head coach today (7 p.m. EST) and here were some of the highlights:
McDaniels said he has not spoken with Patriots special assistant/secondary coach Dom Capers about joining his staff. He said Capers is under contract with the Patriots, before adding that he has had discussions with former San Francisco 49ers head coach Mike Nolan.
McDaniels was dressed for the occasion, wearing a sportcoat and orange tie (Broncos colors).
McDaniels and his wife, Laura |
In his opening remarks, McDaniels thanked his wife, parents, and Broncos owner Pat Bowlen. From a Patriots perspective, chairman/CEO Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick and former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis were thanked. He talked about forming "a special bond" with Belichick. "My appreciation for what he's done for me can't be expressed just in words," he said.
On the vision he has for the Broncos, McDaniels said the team will be "tough, smart and prepared to play well under pressure." Added McDaniels: "The evaluation process to get the team to that point is going to start today, and it's going to be ongoing. Everybody here in this organization is going to be held accountable to do their job, their piece of the puzzle, to fit in and make this team a competitor for championships every season. We're going to be as precise as we can in every phase of our preparation and every phase of our daily operation, and in our performance on game day."
The first question McDaniels was asked was about his age (32), and if he could imagine being a head coach. "I don't really think that's something I stop and think about at all," he said. "My age has never been a factor, it's never going to be a factor. It's about performance. It's about what you're capable of getting the players to do. It's about the information you can give them and doing the job to the best of your ability. That's what I'm going to do. It's what I've done my entire career."
On his coaching style, he said: "The way I coach, and the way I try to lead, is by being more prepared than everybody else, and trying to do that on a daily basis, because I think that's what players respond to. Players want to win, they want to be taught, they want to improve, and they want to have an opportunity to be successful. As a coach, that's your job. That's what I want to do every day when I come into the office. I want to be prepared, and I want to have an opportunity to give them a chance to succeed with whatever system or scheme that we're using on that particular day or that particular week. That's kind of my hallmark -- I want to be prepared, I want them to be prepared. We're going to play tough. We're going to play smart. And we're going to play well under pressure. That preparation is going to extend to them on the playing field."
Asked if he will wear a hoodie, he smiled. "Absolutely," he said. "I can't wait to see it."
At the end of the press conference, McDaniels' wife Laura joined him at the podium as photographers snapped pictures. "My better half," he said.
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Best of luck and success for Josh.....except when he and the Broncos play the Patriots. I know I will be rooting for McDaniels to win the West and smack around the whiney Chargers for years.
Best of luck Josh -- I will be cheering for him as well unless the Pats are playing Denver. He is a very good football coach and will have success with the Broncos. I hope they find a capable replacement!
Wait....are Josh McDaniels and Jack Johnson the same person?
McDaniels, the anti-Mangini
Good for him. Now let's beat him and the Broncos!
I have never been a fan of Josh McDaniels, but in reading some of his comments about coaching, it almost sounded as if it were coming out of Bill Belichick's mouth.
As I said, I have never been a fan of his, but I wish him well, of course except when the Broncos are playing the Pats, and I believe that is this coming season.
I think the Patriots could have done damage in the playoffs...I am disappointed. The Patriots achieved great success this year. However, 3rd and long in OT against the Jets had to be the season's low point and it is what kept the Patriots from the playoffs.
In what could have been a rare off season to assemble and regroup (the Patriots have played more games this decade than any other football team) will now be spent replacing, training, and building a new staff. In Bill, I continue to trust...
The silence from Tom Brady is deafening. I wish that he could tear himself away from Gisele, his new mega-mansion and gourmet food shopping for just a moment to publicly wish his departing coordinator well. I wonder if he thinks about the Patriots at all these days.
Mike Allen, you are right on. If I didn't know better, I'd say that everything said was directly from the mouth of Bill Belichick. Josh is a smart kid and should do well. Paul, as far as Brady is concerned, it's my guess that he's working his tail off to be ready for next season. Quiet is the Patriots' and Brady's way. I'm sure he'll have some things to say when it's appropriate. I have no problem with Brady and Gisele. Unlike Tony Romeo in Dallas, I think Brady has handled his relationship with Gisele with class and kept her out of the football spotlight.
pats vs broncos in an AFC championship? That would be one for the books...good for McDaniels but I think it was a little early...
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