Mike Shanahan Fired

Dec. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Mike Shanahan was fired by the Denver Broncos after a 14-year tenure during which he coached the team to 138 wins and two Super Bowl titles.

The Broncos missed the National Football League playoffs for the third straight season after losing their final three games to finish 8-8. With a postseason berth on the line, Denver was routed by the San Diego Chargers 52-21 in its regular-season finale.

“A change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos,” owner Pat Bowlen said in a statement. “This is certainly a difficult decision, but one that I feel must be made and which will ultimately be in the best interests of all concerned.”

Shanahan, 56, had coached the Broncos since 1995, compiling a 138-86 record and winning Super Bowls with John Elway at quarterback after the 1997 and 1998 seasons. Since Elway retired 10 years ago, the franchise is just 1-4 in the postseason.

Shanahan also held the title of vice president of football operations and was in charge of the team’s personnel decisions. He’s the fourth coach to be fired since the NFL’s regular season ended two days ago. Also terminated were Eric Mangini by the New York Jets, Rod Marinelli by the Detroit Lions and Romeo Crennel by the Cleveland Browns.

Among current NFL coaches, only Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Titans had a longer tenure with the same team than Shanahan. Fisher has been with the Titans since 1994.

Shanahan also coached the Raiders in 1988-89 and had two separate stints as an assistant with the Broncos under former coach Dan Reeves before taking over the team.

“I appreciate the 21 years that Mike Shanahan has given to the organization as an assistant and head coach, and the two Super Bowl wins in that time,” Bowlen said. “His contributions hold a special place in Broncos history.”