Rich Scangarello Named Broncos Offensive Coordinator

Rich Scangarello Named Broncos Offensive Coordinator

The Broncos have named former 49ers quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello (46 yrs old) their brand new offensive coordinator. Rich spent two years in San Francisco as the 49er’s coach quarterbacks coach under Kyle Shanahan. Scangarello has twenty-four years of coaching experience under his belt including four years of NFL time.

“We’re getting an experienced coach who was a trusted and valued assistant with Kyle Shanahan for three seasons,” Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said.  “It’s the perfect time for Rich to be an offensive coordinator in the NFL. I find this opportunity for Rich very similar to when I first became a defensive coordinator many years ago, and he is ready to take this step in his career.”

With the NFL evolving with RPO (run-pass option) style of play, the Broncos figured they should catch up. Scangarello helped Jimmy Garoppolo find immediate success in the league while at the 49ers. He also helped develop third-string QB Nick Mullens this past season who averaged 258 yards and 64 percent of passes completed.

Scangarello will be in charge of fixing an offense that has been in the dumps since Peyton Manning‘s retirement in 2015. This past year the Broncos averaged 19.7 points (23rd) and only converted 33 percent of third downs (28th). Injuries plagued several key players on offense, and the trade to Demaryius Thomas didn’t help the cause. Yeah, Phillip Lindsay emerged as a superstar, but other than that not much production value from the team.

The biggest question mark about the hire is that Scangarello has never called an NFL play in his life. Bold move by Elway, who is already under heavy scrutiny for his coaching staffs failures to bring in someone with zero NFL play-calling experience to take over a young offense. Look for that to be a factor in his first year as the Broncos OC.