Woody Paige: Penner-Paton pair's focus needs to be on experienced candidates for Broncos job
Jan. 7—Adrian Messenger's list couldn't compare to Greg Penner's.
The Broncos' owner/CEO already has begun a compilation, consideration and investigation of more than 50 potential candidates for the next head coach position, but the search committee consisting of Penner and his wife/co-owner Carrie Walton Penner, general manager George Paton, minority shareholder Condoleezza Rice, team president Damani Leech and chief communications officer Patrick Smyth will establish interviews after the shameful, stunning season ends Sunday.
Like Paton in 2022, Penner never has hired a football coach. But, as Walmart board chairman, he has employed excellent executives.
"I've worked with a lot of CEOs, and it starts with really strong leadership. I think that's going to be the most critical factor here in a head coach. Obviously, the X's and O's are important, but we need a strong leader for this organization that's focused on winning. That starts with culture; it's instilling a sense of accountability, and we need an identity on offense," Penner says.
And despite what Paton claims, the Broncos eventually will choose this month a "strong leader" who previously served as an NFL head coach.
"If you have experience, it helps . . . but it's not necessary" and "we're not going to limit ourselves to just experienced candidates," said the GM, who absolutely mismanaged the previous search and selection of Hackett, who "blew away" Paton.
Instead, Hackett has blown away in the wind.
If Penner and Paton don't comprehend the Broncos' history, they will continue to duplicate the foolish failures. Four of the franchise's past seven coaches were rookies on the job, had a cumulative 45-79 record (.347 winning percentage), didn't advance to the playoffs once and were embarrassments. The other three Broncos head coaches had head coaching proficiency expertise, a combined 219-124 overall record (.632 winning percentage) with 12 playoff seasons, five Super Bowls and three NFL championships.
The Penner-Paton pair will be buffoons even to entertain interviews with anyone who has no background as an NFL head coach.
