Former Head Coach Mike Shanahan Voted Into Broncos Ring Of Fame

Mike Shanahan, the Denver Broncos all-time winningest head coach, has been elected to the team's Ring of Fame.

Coach Shanahan guided the Broncos to Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998. His teams went 138-86 (.552) while he was the head coach from 1995-2008.

He also served on the Broncos staff from 1984-1987 and again from 1989-1991.

His official induction will be delayed by one season. Because of COVID-19 precautions, he will be inducted during the 2021 season.

FORMER COACH MIKE SHANAHAN ELECTED TO DENVER BRONCOS RING OF FAME

       ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Two-time Super Bowl-winning Head Coach Mike Shanahan has been elected as the 34th member of the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, the team announced on Tuesday after the selection committee held its annual meeting. Due to COVID-19 precautions, Shanahan will be formally inducted into the Ring of Fame during the 2021 season.

       Shanahan is the third head coach in franchise history to be selected to the Broncos Ring of Fame, joining Dan Reeves (Class of 2014) and Red Miller (Class of 2017).

STATEMENT FROM BRONCOS PRESIDENT & CEO JOE ELLIS:

       “Mike Shanahan is the greatest coach in Denver Broncos history and among the winningest coaches of all-time. He brought an unmatched standard and intensity as head coach, leading this franchise to its first two Super Bowl wins and building the Broncos into perennial contenders. Few coaches have had more of an impact with one organization—as both a head coach and assistant—than Mike Shanahan over the course of his two decades with the Broncos.

       “We are thrilled that Mike has now been elected to the Broncos’ Ring of Fame. Although postponing his induction was a difficult decision, he deserves a full celebration in front of all of our fans and distinguished alumni. Along with our fans, we can’t wait to honor Coach Shanahan during our Ring of Fame and alumni weekend in 2021.”

       The Broncos’ all-time leader in regular-season wins (138) and postseason victories (8), Shanahan was Denver’s head coach from 1995-2008 after previously serving as an assistant coach with the team in two separate stints (1984-87, ’89-91). He led the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl wins (XXXII & XXXIII), three conference championship games, seven postseason appearances and nine winning seasons during his 14 seasons as head coach.

       At the time of his departure from Denver following the 2008 season, Shanahan’s 146 total wins with the Broncos marked the 10th most by a head coach with one team in NFL history. That total now ranks 12th all-time, with Shanahan,Bill Belichick(N.E.) andJeff Fisher(Hou./Ten.) the only representatives on that list not enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

       The Broncos had the fourth-best regular-season record (138-86-0 / .616) and top home-record (83-29-0 / .741) in pro football with Shanahan manning their sidelines. Denver led the league during that span in total offense (361.9 ypg) and rushing offense (138.4 ypg) while scoring the third-most points (5,449 / 24.3 ppg) in the NFL.

       Between the 1996-98 seasons, the Broncos became the first team in NFL history to win 46 overall games (39 reg. / 7 post.)

in a three-year period. They went undefeated at home in each of those three seasons, becoming just the second team ever to be undefeated and untied at home in three consecutive years.

       In Denver’s two Super Bowl winning seasons (1997, ’98), the team won 33 overall games, including 18 consecutive games (12/15/97-12/13/98) to tie the then all-time NFL record for consecutive victories. The Broncos’ seven playoff victories also set a league record for most postseason wins over a two-year period.     

       Shanahan, who was one of six head coaches to win back-to-back Super Bowls, coached six players who were selected to the 1990s NFL All-Decade Team, including five Pro Football Hall of Famers from that group: safetySteve Atwater, runningTerrell Davis, quarterbackJohn Elway, tight endShannon Sharpeand tackleGary Zimmerman.

       Following back-to-back World Championships, Shanahan, who held additional responsibilities as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, rebuilt the Broncos into contenders with five consecutive winning seasons (2002-06) and three straight playoff appearances (2003-05). Denver went 13-3 in 2005 and hosted its second AFC Championship Game with Shanahan as head coach. 

       One of two individuals to coach at least 20 years for the Broncos, Shanahan also served as the team’s wide receivers coach (1984), offensive coordinator (1985-87, ‘91) and quarterbacks coach (1989-90). He was a part of 221 total wins (the most for one coach in team history) with Denver as the club also advanced to three Super Bowls (XXI, XXII & XXIV) with Shanahan on staff as an assistant.

       Including his tenure leading the Los Angeles Raiders from 1988-89 and the Washington Redskins from 2010-13, Shanahan finished his 20-year head coaching career with a record of 170-138 (.552). His 178 total victories (170 reg season + 8 postseason) are tied for 14th in pro football history, andhe owns the distinction of being one of just seven modern-era head coaches to win at least 175 games and capture multiple Super Bowl titles (the four eligible coaches with that distinction are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame).

       Shanahan also served as the offensive coordinator with San Francisco from 1992-94, winning Super Bowl XXXIX before being hired by the Broncos on Jan. 31, 1995.

DENVER BRONCOS RING OF FAME

Name

Pos.

Yrs. w/Broncos

Year Elected

Mike Shanahan

Coach

1984-87, ’89-91, 1995-2008

2020

Champ Bailey

CB

2004-13

2019

Red Miller

Coach

1977-80

2017

Jason Elam

K

1993-2007

2016

Simon Fletcher

LB

1985-95

2016

John Lynch

S

2004-07

2016

Pat Bowlen

Owner

1984-pres.

2015

Dan Reeves

Coach

1981-92

2014

Rick Upchurch

WR

1975-83

2014

Gene Mingo

HB/K

1960-64

2014

Tom Nalen

C

1994-2008

2013

Rod Smith

WR

1994-2007

2012

Shannon Sharpe

TE

1990-99, 2002-03

2009

Terrell Davis

RB

1995-2002

2007

Steve Atwater

S

1989-98

2005

Gary Zimmerman

T

1993-97

2003

Karl Mecklenburg

LB

1983-94

2001

Dennis Smith

S

1981-94

2001

John Elway

QB

1983-98

1999

Louis Wright

CB

1975-86

1993

Tom Jackson

LB

1973-86

1992

Randy Gradishar

LB

1974-83

1989

Craig Morton

QB

1977-82

1988

Haven Moses

WR

1972-81

1988

Jim Turner

K

1971-79

1988

Billy Thompson

S

1969-81

1987

Charley Johnson

QB

1972-75

1986

Paul Smith

DT

1968-78

1986

Frank Tripucka

QB

1960-63

1986

Gerald H. Phipps

Owner

1961-81

1985

Austin “Goose” Gonsoulin

S

1960-66

1984

Rich Jackson

DE

1967-72

1984

Floyd Little

RB

1967-75

1984

Lionel Taylor

WR

1960-66

1984