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John Elway’s first drive as the Denver Broncos’ football leader has ended in the end zone.

John Fox was the best candidate the Denver Broncos interviewed, and his hiring to resurrect the Broncos from the disastrous Josh McDaniels era was the right call. There was talk Thursday that Elway and Denver owner Pat Bowlen would go back to the Broncos’ glory days and hire former Broncos player and coach Rick Dennison to replace McDaniels.

Hiring Fox was a much better option. The Broncos don’t need familiarity and comfort. They need to get better. They need experience. Denver clearly understands that. The Broncos were expected to go to a round of second interviews and make their hire next week. Yet, one day after Fox was in Denver’s building, Denver ensured that he won’t leave.

It was a terrific first move by Elway.

The Broncos are inexperienced in the front office with Elway and general manager Brian Xanders. They needed a proven commodity in one facet of the leadership department, and Fox is it. Fox spent the past nine years as the head coach in Carolina and he is one of the more respected defensive coaches in the NFL.

Denver fans shouldn’t be swayed by Fox’s terrible last season in Carolina when the Panthers went 2-14 and earned the No. 1 pick in the draft. He was forced into a youth movement he didn’t want, and his shelf life in Carolina basically expired. It happens.

Fox needed a new challenge, and the Broncos are a perfect fit. When Fox was hired by Carolina in 2002, he took over a 1-15 team. The Panthers were 7-9 in Fox’s first season and then made the Super Bowl the next season.

The Broncos were 4-12 last season and haven’t made the playoffs since the 2005 season. They need to be recharged. In addition to having the head-coaching experience Denver was looking for, Fox was the best defensive coach available. Denver’s defense was ranked last in overall defense and points allowed, 471, in 2010.

Fox, who runs a 4-3 defense, knows how to turn a defense around. Equipped with the No. 2 overall pick, Denver is expected to take the best available defensive player -- perhaps Auburn defensive lineman Nick Fairley if he enters the draft. A Fox-Fairley pairing would be a good first step to a defensive reclamation in Denver.

Fox would have been a better hire than McDaniels for Denver two years ago if he was available. Denver’s defensive problems were a primary reason why Mike Shanahan was fired after 14 seasons. Instead of going for a defensive-minded coach then, Denver hired McDaniels, who was New England's offensive coordinator, to replace Shanahan.

For a myriad of reasons, McDaniels, who was 32 when he was hired by Denver, was a failure in Denver. Don’t expect Fox, 55, to make the same mistakes McDaniels did. Besides his experience as a head coach, Fox isn’t interested in making the personnel decisions that led to McDaniels’ demise. Fox worked with a general manager in Carolina and is content simply coaching the team. He is also well respected by players. He shouldn’t clash with Denver’s top players as McDaniels often did.

With Fox prepared to do his part as a stable head coach, it will be up to Elway and Xanders to give Fox the ingredients to get better. Then, they must get out of the way and let Fox improve the product on the field. Kudos to Elway for recognizing that hiring Fox was the right decision to make.

Fox was the least risky of all of the candidates Denver interviewed for a job that Denver has to get right. Combine his experience, defensive knowledge and strong reputation around the league, and the Broncos have begun to put the McDaniels’ mistake behind them and started their march back to trying to relive the glory days of Elway’s first tenure in Denver.

There has been growing speculation Thursday that the name to watch in the Denver Broncos' coaching search is Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison.

Thursday, ESPN analyst Adam Schefter said Dennison may be a name to focus on. The NFL Network is reporting Dennison could be the candidate to beat.

Now, these reports aren’t saying that Dennison will definitely be the Broncos’ next coach. But the reports may be worth paying attention to.

Wednesday night, I looked at the five current candidates. I wrote that I’d be surprised if Dennison became the coach. I wrote that because he doesn’t have the head-coaching experience new Denver executive John Elway is looking for.

There are some questions whether Dennison would be a great fit for Denver’s current needs. Dennison, who did not call plays as offensive coordinator, is a running-game specialist and Denver needs to develop quarterback Tim Tebow. Also, the Broncos need immense help on defense and some think hiring a defensive-minded head coach is what Denver needs to do.

But Schefter said the Broncos may be excited about the familiarity they have with Dennison. Dennison is the candidate most connected to Elway of the five interviewed so far. Dennison is a former Denver player and a coach. Dennison also likely wouldn’t cost much and that could be appealing as well.

The Broncos are expected to begin a round of second interviews. According to these reports, we should expect to see Dennison on the list of the candidates who make the cut.

The Denver Broncos met with former Carolina coach John Fox on Wednesday. He is the fifth candidate to meet with the Broncos, who are giving fans an inside look of the interview process.

Denver is now expected to review the candidates and decide whether to bring in any other possibilities. At this point, Denver is not preparing to ask permission to talk to speak to any other candidates. There is a strong chance that Denver’s new coach has already been interviewed.

The following is a look at the five candidates:

Rick Dennison, offensive coordinator, Houston Texans

When interviewed: Tuesday

The skinny: Dennison is a former Denver player and assistant coach. He is the most connected of the candidates to John Elway, Denver's new chief of football operations. Dennison interviewed to replace Mike Shanahan two years ago and is a quiet, smart coach. I’d be surprised, however, if he was the choice.

Perry Fewell, New York Giants, defensive coordinator

When interviewed: Sunday

The Skinny: He is considered one of the better young defensive minds in the NFL. He is a detailed coach, who impressed Denver’s brain trust with leadership abilities. I could see him getting a second interview.

John Fox, former Carolina Panthers head coach

When interviewed: Wednesday

The skinny: Fox is the headline name of this mostly unknown group. He has coached Carolina for the past nine years, is a strong presence, and is a good football man. Even though the Panthers tumbled terribly this season, hiring someone as experienced as Fox could be considered a coup. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was the leader in the clubhouse.

Dirk Koetter, Jacksonville Jaguars, offensive coordinator

When interviewed: Tuesday

The skinny: Koetter may be a sleeper candidate. He is well respected as a strong offensive mind. Koetter is a reserved, quiet man who is known for his dedication. He was the coach at Arizona State and at Boise State and has the head-coaching experience that Elway desires. He could score with another interview.

Eric Studesville, Denver Broncos interim head coach

When interviewed: Sunday

The skinny: Studesville is the underdog candidate. He was Denver’s running backs coach before he took over for the fired Josh McDaniels in the final four games. Studesville finished with a 1-3 record, but Denver’s brass appreciated how hard he worked and how he kept the team together in the final month of the season. I’d be stunned if he got the head-coaching job, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the team tried to keep him in some capacity.

Note: Former Stanford and new San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh, Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams all declined interview opportunities. If the Falcons lose to Green Bay on Saturday, Mularkey could still interview.

The Denver Broncos have lost another candidate for their head-coaching job.

It is being reported that New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has withdrawn himself from consideration. Williams interested Denver partly because he has head-coaching experience from his time in Buffalo. Williams was scheduled to interview in Denver on Wednesday.

He is the third candidate Denver has pursued that has declined to talk to the team. Former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh ended up going to San Francisco and Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey has postponed his interview until after the Falcons’ season is over. He’ll likely interview with the Broncos if they don’t already have a new coach by that time. The Broncos were not upset with Mularkey’s decision, but they will not purposely wait for him, either.

While Harbaugh would have been a slam-dunk hire, Mularkey and Williams were not considered sure things in Denver.

Denver is talking to Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison (a former Denver player and coach who interviewed for the job two years ago) and Jacksonville offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter on Tuesday. Former Carolina head coach John Fox will interview on Wednesday.

Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and Denver interim coach Eric Studesville have already interviewed. The team could add to the list;it hopes to hire a new coach by next week after a round of second interviews for the finalists.

After disposed coach Josh McDaniels alienated many fans, the team -- led by new vice president of football operations John Elway -- is doing its best to regain the trust of the fan base. Tuesday, Elway asked fans what they’d ask candidates, via Twitter. Also, the team is showing clips of the interview process on its website. No other team has ever done that.

There is heavy talk that San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is going to be named the head coach in Carolina.

The deal is not done, but Rivera is expected to meet with Carolina ownership Tuesday in a second interview, and if all goes well, a deal could get done soon. Rivera deserves this chance. He has had several interviews for head-coaching jobs in recent years and he did a great job in San Diego. The Chargers had the No.1 ranked defense in the NFL this season.

There is talk around the NFL that San Francisco defensive coordinator Greg Manusky could replace Rivera in San Diego. Chargers head coach Norv Turner and Manusky have a history together.

If Rivera gets the Carolina job, there will be key openings in every AFC West city. Denver and Oakland will have new head coaches and Kansas City is looking for a new offensive coordinator, where Denver offensive coordinator Mike McCoy is considered an option.

Denver’s head-coaching search continues to take shape. New Denver football leader John Elway announced New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will interview Wednesday. Former Carolina coach John Fox will interview Wednesday instead of Monday because of travel issues. Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and Jacksonville offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will be interviewed Tuesday. Giants’ defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and Denver interim coach Eric Studesville were interviewed on Sunday.

Denver could add to its list of six and could eventually talk to Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey after the Falcons’ season is over if the Broncos’ search, which could be 7-10 days from conclusion, is not concluded. Mularkey postponed his interview last week.

The Raiders’ search has been typically quiet. Still, Oakland offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is expected to be promoted, although names such as former Oakland offensive coordinator Marc Trestman continue to emerge. Still, I’d be surprised if Jackson doesn’t get the job.

With the Jim Harbaugh pipedream all but over for the Denver Broncos, new Denver football czar John Elway is streamlining his wish list.

If Denver fans are looking for a household name or seat filler, they may want to temper your hopes. While the list can change at any time, the current group of the Broncos’ candidates is not filled with bright-light names.

Elway said Friday the Broncos are likely out of the Harbaugh talks. Elway did say he is seeking permission to talk to former Denver assistant and current Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and he may call former Giants coach Jim Fassel. Elway has ties to both men.

Other people Denver is going to interview are Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell (who may be the top choice at the moment) and Denver interim coach Eric Studesville. New Orleans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is expected to be interviewed when the Saints’ season is complete. Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey (considered by many as a top Denver choice) has postponed his interview until after the Falcons’ season ends.

Once you get past Mularkey and perhaps Fewell, this isn’t an overly exciting list. It’s not to say these aren’t good coaches, but they are far from Harbaugh when it comes to name recognition.

In the end, I’m not surprised Harbaugh probably isn't going to end up in Denver. He was too costly for the Broncos’ blood. Plus, I’m not sure if it was a great fit. It seems to me that Harbaugh is the type who will want to make his own decisions. After moving away from Mike Shanahan and Josh McDaniels in the past two years, the Broncos want their coach to just coach and not make personnel decisions.

Any of the above names would surely be fine with that arrangement.

I wouldn’t be surprised if other names pop up. They could include former Baltimore coach Brian Billick, Miami defensive coordinator and former Denver defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, Philadelphia assistant Marty Mornhinweg, San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and Green Bay defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

Billick could be an interesting candidate. He likely wouldn’t be overly expensive and he has had a lot of NFL success.

There is no doubting that Josh McDaniels was a hot prospect when Denver chose the then 32-year-old to replace Mike Shanahan in January 2009. He was sought after and if Denver didn't hire him, another NFL team would have snagged New England’s offensive coordinator.

But some questioned the hire, because the Broncos really needed help on defense. Shanahan left Denver in fine shape on offense. Originally, the plan was to keep offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, who had a good relationship with 25-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler, and pursue a defensive coach.

Three of the seven people interviewed for the opportunity to replace Shanahan were defensive coordinators who are now NFL head coaches. Among the runners up were Steve Spagnuolo (now St. Louis’ coach), Raheem Morris (Tampa Bay’s head coach) and Leslie Frazier (Minnesota’s interim coach). All three have done well in their head-coaching roles.

The other coaches who interviewed for the job were Dallas interim coach Jason Garrett, former Denver assistant and current Houston offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and Miami assistant head coach Todd Bowles.

In the end, Denver went with McDaniels and will have to live with the idea that it let successful coaches like Spagnuolo, Morris and Frazier get away. If Minnesota doesn’t promote Frazier to the permanent job, it would not be a surprise if Denver takes a serious look at Frazier if he’d be interested in the job.

Catching up on some news and notes in the division:

Denver

The Broncos have added to their coaching staff.

My take: The names Josh McDaniels has added to his staff don’t stack up to the men they are replacing -- longtime Denver assistants Rick Dennison and Bobby Turner -- however, the most important thing here is McDaniels is continuing to build his own program. While Dennison and Turner have skins on the wall, they were part of Mike Shanahan’s staff. It’s time for McDaniels to have his own influence on his staff. This is a good development in Denver.

Oakland

The Oakland Tribune has an update on the Tom Cable situation.

My take: The Hue Jackson talks are interesting. I would not be surprised at all if Jackson -- who is known for helping young quarterbacks -- is hired as offensive coordinator and he ends up calling the plays on a staff led by Cable. A Cable-Jackson combination could be a good solution in Oakland. Cable would be kept, which would help continuity, and Jackson would give quarterback JaMarcus Russell a chance to improve.

San Diego

The San Diego Union Tribune pokes holes into the rampant talk that the Chargers lost to the Jets because too many players were partying Friday night.

My take: I agree with this column. The Chargers lost because of mistakes made on the field against the Jets not because a handful of players may or may not have been hanging out 36 hours prior to the game.

The candidates are:

Chargers ousted: The San Diego Chargers were tossed from the AFC playoffs following a 17-14 home loss to the Jets on Sunday. San Diego was the No. 2 seed and was riding an NFL-high 11-game win streak.

Nolan out in Denver: The Broncos and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan mutually parted ways after one season. Nolan made an underwhelming unit the No. 7 defense in the league.

Turner extended: The Chargers gave coach Norv Turner a long-expected three-year contract extension that keeps him in San Diego until 2013. The extension came a day after the Chargers were knocked out of the playoffs.

Pick your story of the week and hit my mailbag with your thoughts. I will post some of your comments later in the week.

Wrapping up a wild day (and evening) in the AFC West:

For those San Diego fans who are looking for a consolation prize, here’s one: Chargers coach Norv Turner will guide the AFC team in the Pro Bowl.

Turner was selected as the coach because the Chargers were the highest seed in the AFC divisional playoffs to lose. The Chargers were the No. 2 seed and they lost to the Jets on Sunday. The NFC will be coached by Dallas coach Wade Phillips. The Cowboys were the No. 3 seed.

In previous years, the coach who lost in the conference title game coached in the Pro Bowl. But this year, the game is being played before the Super Bowl, so an adjustment was needed.

In other AFC West news:

• The Chargers will draft at No. 28 in the first round.
• The Denver Post is reporting the Broncos will interview Buffalo running backs coach Eric Studesville for the same position. The Broncos have an opening because longtime position coach Bobby Turner went to Washington to reunite with Mike Shanahan. The pair worked 14 years together in Denver.
• San Diego receiver Vincent Jackson had some legal issues Sunday morning before the Chargers’ loss to the Jets. Turner had this to say about the situation Monday: “It wouldn’t have been good if he hadn’t played. He’s a big part of what we do. Vincent, as I understand, was pulled over. He did come to the game with Philip [Rivers]. Philip was here. At 9:30 in the morning, I was driving down Murphy Canyon Road. You know this hill, it’s easy if you’re not paying attention to go faster than you need to. There was a woman pulled over at 9:30, the radar and all that. I thought at that point, ‘That’s an interesting place to have a radar gun out on a Sunday morning at 9:30.’ Vincent was pulled over later and was at the stadium. I made a point Saturday night of telling our guys that there would be a lot of traffic and leave early. We had no problems. When I walked in the locker room after walking the field like I do, Vincent was dressed and getting ready and it was well over two hours before the game, which is normal. I didn’t find out about it until later.”

Mike Nolan is out as Denver’s defensive coordinator. Now, that is a "wow" move.

Last week’s departures of offensive line coach Rick Dennison and running backs coach Bobby Turner, who took promotions with Houston and Washington, respectively, were newsy because both men had long Denver runs. But they weren’t totally unexpected. Neither Dennison nor Turner were Josh McDaniels’ guys. They were Mike Shanahan’s guys. So, a change was natural.

But Nolan was one of McDaniels’ first hires when he took over in Denver last year. Nolan was hired essentially the same day McDaniels. They seemed like a perfect fit. Nolan had head-coaching experience to help the 33-year-old McDaniels out, and he was an expert in the 3-4 defense, which McDaniels runs.

Nolan’s first season as McDaniels’ coordinator worked very well. Nolan took a unit that was a work in progress and made it a solid unit. Denver finished seventh in the NFL in overall defense with a below average front seven. When Denver started 6-0, the defense was tremendous. The defense had some issues and Denver nosedived, finishing with an 8-8 record. Still, it was a solid unit for much of the season.

The presence of Nolan seemed like one of McDaniels’ top building blocks heading into 2010. Then, seemingly out of the blue, came Monday’s announcement. The Broncos characterized the decision as a mutual parting.

That means that the team had some role in this. Why?

I talked to some folks in the know and they said that McDaniels and Nolan didn’t necessarily not get along. It was that the two simply decided to move apart.

Nolan will be fine. Miami is already interested in him. But what about Denver?

The Broncos have to go in a new direction. You would think McDaniels is going to stick to his NFL roots and keep the 3-4 defense. Coordinators for a 3-4 defense can be difficult to find because there are less coaches who specialize in the scheme than coaches who teach the more traditional 4-3 defense.

Former New England defensive coordinator Dean Pees could be a candidate. He and McDaniels worked together in New England. Pees recently said he will pursue other opportunities and allow his contract to expire. He knows the 3-4 and he knows McDaniels well, so this could be a seamless transition.

This news can’t be great for many Denver players. This will be the fifth defensive coordinator in five seasons. Shanahan had three different coordinators in his final three years, and McDaniels will now have two defensive coordinators in his first two seasons in Denver.

This hire has to work out. The unit needs stability.

This is also yet another move that puts pressure on McDaniels, not that he cares. If the Denver defense takes a step back in 2010 after the fast success under Nolan, McDaniels will be criticized. But like with so many decisions in his first year in Denver, McDaniels does what he feels is necessary, no matter how unexpected.

The parting of ways with Nolan is another example.

Now what?

The 2009 AFC West season is abruptly in the books.

We thought it would last at least a week longer. But the Chargers closed the books Sunday in a surprising 17-14 home loss to the Jets. An AFC West team hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since Oakland made it in the 2002 season. Thus, the longest division Super Bowl appearance drought in the NFL continues.

So, the offseason is upon us.

While player movement and draft talk will heat up in the coming weeks and months, there are some things to keep an eye on in the division. Here is a checklist of some of the more important things that could be on the horizon in the division:

The Cable watch: Oakland owner Al Davis still hasn’t decided whether he will keep or fire Tom Cable. A decision could come this week. Maybe.

Rivera is free: If the Buffalo Bills -- or perhaps Oakland -- want to talk to San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera about a head-coaching job, he is available. Rivera reportedly turned down chances to interview in Buffalo and in Seattle when the Chargers were still playing.

Turner extension: The Chargers are expected to finalize a contract with Turner soon. He has one year remaining on his contract. The Chargers’ loss Sunday should not affect the team’s plan.

New coaches in Denver: The Broncos have to replace longtime offensive coaching staples Rick Dennison and Bobby Turner. Dennison and Turner left for promotions in Houston and in Washington, respectively.

This is the end of an era in Denver.

As expected, longtime Denver running backs coach Bobby Turner has decided to leave the team. He will join former Denver head coach Mike Shanahan in Washington. Turner will be the associate head coach in Washington. Last week, Denver denied Turner the chance to interview with Shanahan because a promotion wasn’t involved. When Shanahan sweetened the pot to reunite with Turner -- the two spent 14 seasons together in Denver -- the Broncos relented.

This is a big loss. Turner is known for being one of the best position coaches in the NFL. Under Shanahan’s and Turner’s guidance, Denver had, by far, the best run game program in the NFL. Year after year, Denver produced 1,000-yard runners.

Turner’s departure from Denver comes a day after longtime Shanahan offensive line coach Rick Dennison departed to Houston to become the offensive coordinator. Turner and Dennison were a big part of the team’s zone-blocking schemes.

With Turner and Dennison leaving, the Shanahan influence has essentially evaporated in Josh McDaniels’ program. McDaniels kept the two assistants last year to keep some continuity.

Now, McDaniels’ offense will be all his. That’s not a bad thing. He will be completely comfortable in his own program, He will likely get bigger offensive lineman and second-year running back Knowshon Moreno will be tutored the way McDaniels and his new running backs coach want him to be.

The Shanahan era is over in Denver.

With Denver offensive line coach Rick Dennison headed to Houston as offensive coordinator, there will be a major change in Denver.

Expect the Broncos to begin to fully move away from the zone-blocking scheme the franchise made famous. Denver head coach Josh McDaniels kept the basis of the system in 2008, his first season with the Broncos.

The Broncos used the scheme, featuring smaller, athletic linemen, in the 14-year tenure of Mike Shanahan. McDaniels kept Dennison, who perfected Shanahan’s schemes last season. Thus, he kept the blocking philosophy. McDaniels also mixed in some of the more traditional power blocking schemes that McDaniels was operating under in New England.

With Dennison gone, watch for McDaniels to fully adopt the power-blocking mode.

This is probably best for McDaniels. It was one of the few Shanahan influences he used. It was clear he wasn’t always comfortable with it. Before Denver’s final game, McDaniels was critical of the offensive line.

Dennison is a fine coach, but now McDaniels can do what he is most comfortable with. That may mean some change in personnel. Denver loves tackles Ryan Clady and Ryan Harris. Right guard Chris Kuper is also big enough to make the transition.

But Denver could try to make changes at left guard and center where Ben Hamilton and Casey Wiegmann started, respectively. The team could bring back Russ Hochstein, who replaced Hamilton toward the end of the season. But Hochstein suffered a major knee injury, so an upgrade may be necessary.

It wouldn't be a surprise if Denver looks at offensive linemen early in the draft and in free agency as it moves away from the zone-blocking scheme.

Denver could also be in the midst of another big coaching change. Running backs coach Bobby Turner -- widely considered one of the best position coaches in the NFL -- is talking to Shanahan about becoming his associate head coach in Washington. Turner’s running schemes were a staple of the zone-blocking scheme.

The Denver Broncos could be on the verge of losing two longtime offensive assistants.

The Denver Post is reporting running backs coach Bobby Turner has been offered the associate head coach job in Washington. It would reunite Turner with former Denver head coach Mike Shanahan, who became the head coach in Washington last week. Turner was with Shanahan during his entire 14-year tenure in Denver.

Denver originally denied Turner permission to interview with Washington. But now that he has a promotion available, Turner looks like he could be on his way to Washington.

• Denver offensive line coach Rick Dennison has an offer to join Houston as offensive coordinator. Dennison is considering the offer. I hear it will be an upset if Dennison turns it down.

• Tom Cable was supposed to meet with Oakland owner Al Davis on Monday to discuss his future. Yet, there hasn’t been any movement as of yet.

• There is a report that former Cleveland head coach Romeo Crennel is close to becoming the defensive coordinator in Kansas City. The Chiefs have not fired current defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast.

• The San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera turned down offers to interview for head-coaching jobs in Buffalo and Seattle. Rivera did the same thing last year when the Chargers were in the playoff hunt. With a lack of current opening in the NFL. Rivera may not be in the mix for head jobs if the Chargers take a long playoff ride. You have to admire his focus on his current job. So many assistants have their own future at the top of their priority list. Rivera’s priority is clearly his team’s playoff run.