DENVER — After ironing out procedural wrinkles, the Broncos will talk with 49ers quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello about their vacant offensive coordinator's position, according to NFL sources. It is the latest domino to fall as Vic Fangio's coach staff takes shape.
The Broncos agreed to terms with Mike Munchak to become their next offensive line coach, sources told Denver7. Munchak has family in the Denver area, and finished second to Fangio for the Broncos head coaching job. He is considered one of the best position coaches in the NFL.
San Francisco initially denied the Broncos permission last Friday, but that changed Monday, leaving Scangarello as Denver's frontrunner. Teams typically don't request permission to talk to coaches under contract without wanting to hire them.
Scangarello, pictured above, earned high marks for his work with quarterback Nick Mullens, whom he suggested the team sign following injuries. In his first eight starts, the undrafted rookie from Southern Miss posted the fourth-most passing yards (2,277) in NFL history. San Francisco began last season with playoff hopes before losing Jimmy Garoppolo to a knee injury. Garoppolo worked well with Scangarello in 2017, posting a 5-0 record.
Can Scangarello transition to play-calling at the NFL level? He has learned under 49ers coach Kyle Shanhan. He worked in the NFL with the Raiders under Tom Cable and in 2015 as a offensive quality-control coach under Falcons coach Dan Quinn. He then joined Wagner College in 2016 to work as a coordinator. He had previous college success at UC Davis and Northern Arizona. While at Wagner College, Scangarello explained that his offense boasts West Coast traits in the passing game, but that the key was to adapt to personnel and "run common plays and put window dressing on it to put pressure on the defense."
Scangarello helped out with the offensive line in Atlanta. With Munchak in the fold, it will be interesting to see if the Broncos blend wide zone running schemes with power concepts or tilt heavily in one direction. Munchak was a Hall of Fame lineman and is credited for revamping the Steelers' pass protection. Ed Donatell, who lost out as Fangio's replacement in Chicago, is considered the favorite for the Broncos defensive coordinator position.
