Broncos, Fox part ways after 4 titles, 4 playoff nosedives

Associated PRess

englewood, Colo.

John Elway is looking for a new coach after agreeing to part ways with John Fox following Denver’s latest playoff meltdown.

Fox won the AFC West all four of his years in Denver, but each of those seasons ended in ugly fashion in the playoffs, culminating with Sunday’s 24-13 upset by Indianapolis.

Fox might already have something in the works with another franchise — he didn’t shoot down a pregame report Sunday night that he could be available if the Broncos lost.

Neither Fox nor Elway would say what was discussed Monday when they met other than it was time to split up.

“It became clear that it was best for both the Denver Broncos and Coach Fox to move on and make this change,” Elway said in a statement.

So, Fox is out after going 49-22 in Denver, including the playoffs, following a 78-74 record in nine years with the Carolina Panthers, counting the postseason.

Fox gathered his players at noon Monday but didn’t talk about his own future. Chris Harris Jr. said Fox’s message was “just that he appreciated everybody’s efforts. He loved us and everybody just be smart in the offseason and make sure you take care of your body to be ready to come back ready to roll when OTAs start.”

Two hours later, Elway met with Fox and told the assistant coaches they remain under contract but were free to pursue jobs with other teams.

The players had left when the news broke, and several reacted bluntly on Twitter.

“Cold World ...,” wrote Demaryius Thomas.

“Wow ...,” said Omar Bolden.

“Damn,” tweeted Terrance Knighton.

The Broncos went 8-8 in Fox’s first year, when Tebowmania was in full pitch. The stakes were raised when Denver won the Peyton Manning sweepstakes and replaced Tim Tebow in 2012.

Manning was murky about his future Sunday night, saying he had to process this latest loss before deciding whether to play an 18th NFL season. He wasn’t in the locker room Monday.

Elway thanked Fox for helping “establish a positive, winning culture for this team” and said he “deserves a lot of credit for the Broncos’ turnaround,” but added “there is still work to be done” to win a Super Bowl.

Fox characterized his meeting with Elway as productive and honest and the two “mutually agreed that the timing was right for this decision.”