Broncos' all-time winningest coach, Mike Shanahan, elected to Ring of Fame

[Miles]

In 2000, the Broncos ranked second in total offense as they rebounded from a difficult 1999 season to go 11-5 and return to the playoffs. Denver also made the playoffs each season from 2003-05 and earned a Divisional Round win over the New England Patriots during the 2005 postseason to advance to the AFC Championship.


Shananan continued his success with the Broncos as he assumed control of personnel decisions. He was named the team's Vice President of Football Operations in 1999 and later became the Executive Vice President of Football Operations in 2002. He helped orchestrate a blockbuster 2004 trade that sent Clinton Portis to Washington in exchange for future Hall of Famer Champ Bailey.


Bailey earned three first-team All-Pro nods in Denver and made eight Pro Bowls. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2006.


During the 2005 postseason, Bailey's interception of Tom Brady helped Shanahan his final of nine posteason wins with the Broncos.


Across his career, Shanahan built a resume that compares to many of the game's greats. In his 14 seasons as the Broncos' head coach, he earned 146 wins, which ranks 14th in NFL history for the most wins with one team. Eleven of the other 14 coaches are in the Hall of Fame; Bill Belichick remains active and Jeff Fisher has not been enshrined.


Including his seven years as an assistant, Shanahan recorded 221 career wins with the Broncos, which is the highest total by any coach in team history. He is one of just six head coaches to win multiple Super Bowls and win more than 200 games with one team. He joins Belichick, Seifert, Don Shula, Tom Landry and Chuck Noll.


While with the Broncos, Shanahan's offenses were consistently dominant. Denver posted the top total offense and rushing offense during his coaching career, and they ranked third in points per game across that 14-year span. During 11 of those seasons, the Broncos had a 1,000-yard rusher. Six different players accomplished the feat for Shanahan's Broncos.


At home, the Broncos enjoyed particular success, as Denver held the best home record in the NFL (83-29) during Shanahan's career. They posted the fourth-best regular-season record.


Soon, Shanahan will return to Empower Field at Mile High for his enshrinement.


When Shanahan is inducted into the Ring of Fame in 2021, he could have company. Former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will be eligible for enshrinement into both the Ring of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021, and the Broncos are expected to also honor Steve Atwater, who will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2021, as well.