The Denver Broncos fired first year head coach Nathaniel Hackett two games before the end of the season.
Owner and CEO Greg Penner said he will lead the search for a new head coach with support from GM George Paton, who he expressed confidence in Monday’s announcement. Hackett’s firing.
Firing Hackett with two games remaining in a losing season allows Penner to start looking for a replacement immediately.
The Walton-Bum Group bought the Broncos last summer for $4.65 billion, a world record for a professional sports franchise.
On Sunday, the Broncos (4-11) were swept by the equally downtrodden Los Angeles Rams 51-14 as Russell Wilson threw three interceptions and was sacked six times. The game included a sideline confrontation between backup quarterback Brett Rypien and guard Dalton Risner, and pass rusher Randy Gregory landed a postgame punch at a Rams player.
Wilson had a terrible first season in Denver after the Broncos sent four premium draft picks and three players to Seattle for the nine-time Pro Bowler. Wilson has 12 touchdown passes with nine interceptions and 49 sacks in 13 starts and hasn’t been able to pull himself out of a season-long funk.
Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but couldn’t build an offense to suit Wilson.
The Broncos missed the playoffs seven straight seasons, extending their losing streak to six.
Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press
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