Kiz: One was the great and powerful Mastermind. The other was an ornery old Cowboy. But which one was the best coach ever to command the Broncos sideline? Listen, both Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves deserve a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, if you’re asking me. But only one has a shot to get in the doors this year. If you have to pick, which Broncos coach should receive the honor first?
Gabriel: Not to immediately make reference of the, uh, generational difference between the debaters here, but if you’d asked this beat writer back when he was taking naps in Southern Wisconsin so he could stay up late to watch Super Bowl XXXII, he’d say Reeves in a heartbeat for no other reason than what Shanahan, Terrell Davis, John Elway and company did to Green Bay. But, of course, those days are long past and I agree on both being deserving. Gut says Shanahan, but I know you have an argument for Reeves, Kiz. Let me hear it.
Kiz: Methinks Reeves kinda enjoyed playing the role of the old-school coaching curmudgeon. But beneath that gruff exterior, there beat a heart of gold. So I do object to how Reeves gets dissed in an oh-so-popular version of Broncos history, as the coach who held John Elway back from winning the Super Bowl. Well, if we believe Elway carried three Denver teams with inferior talent to the championship game early in his career, shouldn’t Reeves also receive credit for coaching up those same players?
Gabriel: Absolutely. And, not breaking any news here, but 190 regular-season wins is a heck of a number. Ninth in NFL history, in fact. Of the eight who have more, five are already in the Hall of Fame as head coaches. Bill Belichick and Andy Reid are still commanding sidelines but are surefire future inductees. The other is Marty Schottenheimer, another of the 12 coach/contributor semifinalists this year.
Kiz: Reeves lived nearly 78 full and very rich years before passing away on the first day of 2022. But it bugs me whenever a man deserving of inclusion in the Hall of Fame doesn’t get to experience the joy of being recognized for his lifetime achievements in the sport. At age 70, Shanny is fit and forever tan. But I say let’s get him to Canton right now, so he can enjoy one big party with family, friends and former players.
Gabriel: Shanahan’s coaching resume should be more than enough to get him a spot — two Super Bowl titles as a head coach, another as an assistant, 170 wins (T-13 all time). But it seems fitting that the title for this particular Hall of Fame category is coach/contributor. That might be so the committee can consider owners and the like, but Shanahan’s done plenty of both coaching and contributing to the game. Look around at all the coaches now, from his son, Kyle, in San Francisco to Sean McVay in Los Angeles, Matt LaFleur in Green Bay, Mike McDaniel in Miami and others, not mention the start of their own coaching tree branches. Seemingly half the league is running and evolving Shanny’s stuff. So how about a party to celebrate?
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