Brewster new Gopher's Head Coach (Merged)

[Eli_Cash]

Sources: Brewster to replace Mason at MinnesotaBy Joe Schad
Special to ESPN.com


Minnesota has hired Denver Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster as head coach, sources said Monday night.

Brewster will succeed Glen Mason, who was fired on Dec. 31, two days after the Gophers blew a 31-point third quarter lead against Texas Tech in the Insight Bowl.

Brewster has spent the last two seasons as Denver tight ends coach. He previously was the San Diego Chargers' tight ends coach for three seasons.

Brewster coached at Texas from 1998-2001 and at North Carolina from 1989-97 under Mack Brown.

Among the candidates Minnesota also considered were USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and TCU coach Gary Patterson.

Mason was 64-57 in 10 years at Minnesota and led the Gophers to seven bowl games; he was just 3-4 in those games.

Joe Schad is ESPN's national college football reporter.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Wonder if he'll recruit his son, Clint (QB- Ill commit) this year and his other son who is a junior safety at Mullen?

[Ray Finkle]

Is it just me or was he overrated? Didn't do much with Jeb and I think Tony was aided by Cutler more then Brew.

[Breck Bronc]

Is it just me or was he overrated? Didn't do much with Jeb and I think Tony was aided by Cutler more then Brew.Let's face it, he didn't have much to work with at TE until the final 5 games of '06.

I think the Broncos got all they could out of Putzier and did a good job of developing Wesley Duke before he tore up his knee yet again.

Then Plummer forgot how to use his TE's in 2006 (or play a competent QB in general). What we saw between Cutler and Scheffler in the last 5 games is what we'll see for years to come. Brewster would have gotten a lot of the credit for that.

[plummershelper]

Hopefully we've got someone good to replace him.

[SoCalBronco]

We'll prolly bring back Brian Pariani I suspect.

[BroncoBuff]

Oh well .... time to hire another new guy.

We'll probably title him "Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends." :~ohyah!:

[Kaylore]

I'm actually ok with this. I kind of got the feeling that Brewster was wearing on Scheffler a bit.

I will say we really need to put some talent back into our offensive coaching staff. Other teams have picked us dry and we need to upgrade.

[That One Guy]

Oh well .... time to hire another new guy.

We'll probably title him "Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends." :~ohyah!:

Why BS the fans with an "Offensive Coordinator" title? The replacement will be just as much of an assistant coach as the rest of the group, make em all assistant coaches. We could have Assistant Coach in charge of TEs... Assistant Coach in charge of QBs... Assistant Coach in charge of alcohol distribution... the posibilities are endless

[theAPAOps5]

Just saw this on ESPiN website:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2732273

Minnesota has hired Denver Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster as head coach, sources said Monday night.

Brewster will succeed Glen Mason, who was fired on Dec. 31, two days after the Gophers blew a 31-point third quarter lead against Texas Tech in the Insight Bowl.

Brewster has spent the last two seasons as Denver tight ends coach. He previously was the San Diego Chargers' tight ends coach for three seasons.

Brewster coached at Texas from 1998-2001 and at North Carolina from 1989-97 under Mack Brown.

Among the candidates Minnesota also considered were USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin and TCU coach Gary Patterson.

Mason was 64-57 in 10 years at Minnesota and led the Gophers to seven bowl games; he was just 3-4 in those games.

[Hercules Rockefeller]

The first thread isn't even off the first page

[theAPAOps5]

Ah crap I'm sorry I totally missed it. I looked right over it.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Whose next?

[Sodak]

Assistant head assistant assistant coach?

[Mediator12]

So, have they announced that Jeremy Bates, another son of a coach on staff like David Gibbs and Ryan Slowik, all of 28 years old has taken over for Pat Mcpherson @ QB coach yet? Never been a position coach in the NFL and was Shanahan's offensive assistant last year.

Also, expect Steve Watson to be "pushed upstairs" in order to get him out of coaching and Kirk Doll to be dismissed or leave outright in a few days to a week.

You all should be very worried about the staff right now. Nepotism is reigning and a lot of guys are leaving and being replaced with inferior "friends" of Mike. For a guy who has a contract extension coming up, he sure is being fairly brazen with his staff moves and the media know all about it. I talked with Pat Kirwin the other day and he said a lot of the anti-media bias against Den is because of Shanahan and the way he handles things in DEN.

[BroncoBuff]

Assistant head assistant assistant coach?

/tight ends. ;D

[Odysseus]

So, have they announced that Jeremy Bates, another son of a coach on staff like David Gibbs and Ryan Slowik, all of 28 years old has taken over for Pat Mcpherson @ QB coach yet? Never been a position coach in the NFL and was Shanahan's offensive assistant last year.

Also, expect Steve Watson to be "pushed upstairs" in order to get him out of coaching and Kirk Doll to be dismissed or leave outright in a few days to a week.

You all should be very worried about the staff right now. Nepotism is reigning and a lot of guys are leaving and being replaced with inferior "friends" of Mike. For a guy who has a contract extension coming up, he sure is being fairly brazen with his staff moves and the media know all about it. I talked with Pat Kirwin the other day and he said a lot of the anti-media bias against Den is because of Shanahan and the way he handles things in DEN.

This kind of nepotism tends to quietly ruin an organization. I normally discount the press and what they would prefer but the Shanahan needs to take another look at his staff and reconsider what he's doing.

[Rascal]

So, have they announced that Jeremy Bates, another son of a coach on staff like David Gibbs and Ryan Slowik, all of 28 years old has taken over for Pat Mcpherson @ QB coach yet? Never been a position coach in the NFL and was Shanahan's offensive assistant last year.

Also, expect Steve Watson to be "pushed upstairs" in order to get him out of coaching and Kirk Doll to be dismissed or leave outright in a few days to a week.

You all should be very worried about the staff right now. Nepotism is reigning and a lot of guys are leaving and being replaced with inferior "friends" of Mike. For a guy who has a contract extension coming up, he sure is being fairly brazen with his staff moves and the media know all about it. I talked with Pat Kirwin the other day and he said a lot of the anti-media bias against Den is because of Shanahan and the way he handles things in DEN.

They haven't brought anybody in except for Bates, Rodriguez, and that d-line coach have they? Those were all fine additions.

[BroncoInferno]

So, have they announced that Jeremy Bates, another son of a coach on staff like David Gibbs and Ryan Slowik, all of 28 years old has taken over for Pat Mcpherson @ QB coach yet? Never been a position coach in the NFL and was Shanahan's offensive assistant last year.

Also, expect Steve Watson to be "pushed upstairs" in order to get him out of coaching and Kirk Doll to be dismissed or leave outright in a few days to a week.

You all should be very worried about the staff right now. Nepotism is reigning and a lot of guys are leaving and being replaced with inferior "friends" of Mike. For a guy who has a contract extension coming up, he sure is being fairly brazen with his staff moves and the media know all about it. I talked with Pat Kirwin the other day and he said a lot of the anti-media bias against Den is because of Shanahan and the way he handles things in DEN.

I know you have contacts and such, but with all due respect, I have a very hard time believing that Shanny would hire coaches in key positions like LB coach for any other reason than he believes they are the best person available for the position. The man is obsessed with winning and it just seems out of character for him to not hire people that will maximize his opportunity to win. So far the staff changes he's made have been excellent.

[bronco militia]

So, have they announced that Jeremy Bates, another son of a coach on staff like David Gibbs and Ryan Slowik, all of 28 years old has taken over for Pat Mcpherson @ QB coach yet? Never been a position coach in the NFL and was Shanahan's offensive assistant last year.

Also, expect Steve Watson to be "pushed upstairs" in order to get him out of coaching and Kirk Doll to be dismissed or leave outright in a few days to a week.

You all should be very worried about the staff right now. Nepotism is reigning and a lot of guys are leaving and being replaced with inferior "friends" of Mike. For a guy who has a contract extension coming up, he sure is being fairly brazen with his staff moves and the media know all about it. I talked with Pat Kirwin the other day and he said a lot of the anti-media bias against Den is because of Shanahan and the way he handles things in DEN.

sounds like sour grapes

[BroncoInferno]

sounds like sour grapes

I'm wondering if Med isn't related to Coyer. His posts have seemed somewhat bitter since Larry got the boot.

[Traveler]

So, have they announced that Jeremy Bates, another son of a coach on staff like David Gibbs and Ryan Slowik, all of 28 years old has taken over for Pat Mcpherson @ QB coach yet? Never been a position coach in the NFL and was Shanahan's offensive assistant last year.

Also, expect Steve Watson to be "pushed upstairs" in order to get him out of coaching and Kirk Doll to be dismissed or leave outright in a few days to a week.

You all should be very worried about the staff right now. Nepotism is reigning and a lot of guys are leaving and being replaced with inferior "friends" of Mike. For a guy who has a contract extension coming up, he sure is being fairly brazen with his staff moves and the media know all about it. I talked with Pat Kirwin the other day and he said a lot of the anti-media bias against Den is because of Shanahan and the way he handles things in DEN.


Shanahan can't be that idiotic. At least, I hope not. I hope you are wrong on this, but I've read there are further changes to the offensive coaching staff on the horizon.

[Mediator12]

I know you have contacts and such, but with all due respect, I have a very hard time believing that Shanny would hire coaches in key positions like LB coach for any other reason than he believes they are the best person available for the position. The man is obsessed with winning and it just seems out of character for him to not hire people that will maximize his opportunity to win. So far the staff changes he's made have been excellent.

Bates is excellent, no question about that. Rodriguez is not there yet and neither is the DL coach.

I am conmmenting on what is going on there right now with the people I still know. Brewster is out, McPherson is out being demoted to Assistant OL coach as of now might get the TE's after Brewster leaves, and Bates, the 28 year old son of the new DC with zero coaching experience, is going to be the new QB's coach. There are no longer any checks on the offense for Mike. No one is going to question or offer any constructive criticism. This was a severe problem last year as Mike took over all Offensive playcalling. Heimerdinger and Dennison were not going to alter much of anything last year and the only guys who added anything different to the gameplanning and preparations are gone.

The Defense is in good hands right now. Bates and Slowik are more than capable coaches, but if they do not get the players they need they are going to suffer the same weaknesses that they have had forever. Weak DL play stifles the great back seven. I am sure they will concoct more smoke and mirrors stuff to hide them, but again for how long will it work? One thing is for sure, if you line this defense up and play aggressive they will be exploited. Maybe Bates can give them a fresh look and some much needed motivation. Just do not think the scheme is going to make them better than they have been the last four years. They have pretty much played a variation of the all the major 4-3 schemes in that time.

[BroncoInferno]

Well, if the move to put Bate's son as QB coach happens, that will be peculiar. With that said, it doesn't mean he isn't a capable coach. Shanny must have some level of faith in him to promote him to that position at such a young age. We'll see what happens.

[Rascal]

Bates is excellent, no question about that. Rodriguez is not there yet and neither is the DL coach.

I am conmmenting on what is going on there right now with the people I still know. Brewster is out, McPherson is out being demoted to Assistant OL coach as of now might get the TE's after Brewster leaves, and Bates, the 28 year old son of the new DC with zero coaching experience, is going to be the new QB's coach. There are no longer any checks on the offense for Mike. No one is going to question or offer any constructive criticism. This was a severe problem last year as Mike took over all Offensive playcalling. Heimerdinger and Dennison were not going to alter much of anything last year and the only guys who added anything different to the gameplanning and preparations are gone.

The Defense is in good hands right now. Bates and Slowik are more than capable coaches, but if they do not get the players they need they are going to suffer the same weaknesses that they have had forever. Weak DL play stifles the great back seven. I am sure they will concoct more smoke and mirrors stuff to hide them, but again for how long will it work? One thing is for sure, if you line this defense up and play aggressive they will be exploited. Maybe Bates can give them a fresh look and some much needed motivation. Just do not think the scheme is going to make them better than they have been the last four years. They have pretty much played a variation of the all the major 4-3 schemes in that time.

Well I'd take Shanny's judgement that McPherson was not getting the job done but Bates can. He wouldn't let his new play toy be ****ed up with.

Regarding who is going to add "anything different to the gameplanning and preparations are gone" that was Kubiak when he left last year and we all knew it. It's going to take some time for Shanny to trust Hermdinger with the play calling. If he doesn't give Hermdinger that authority I expect him to leave soon.

Sounds like you are more upset with Bates being named QB coach then anything.

[Mediator12]

Well, if the move to put Slowik's son as QB coach happens, that will be peculiar. With that said, it doesn't mean he isn't a capable coach. Shanny must have some level of faith in him to promote him to that position at such a young age. We'll see what happens.

No, not Slowik. Jeremy Bates, the new DC's son. He was an offensive assistant just like Ryan Slowik was a defensive Assistant for Coyer last year. The problem is hubris, plain and simple. He believes that hiring his buddies and there sons will be great for their carreers and that he will help them get to where they need to go as coordinators or other head coaches. He does the majority of the offfensive work personally and lets them ride along until they are able to get better jobs.

Steve Watson is going to be "promoted" to the Front office because he is not a good coach and the other coaches were tired of redoing his work every week. Brewster really was caught in a bind until he got that MIN job. He wanted more input in the offense as it related to the TE's, but was frustrated continually.

What I think you all are missing is that Shanahan is playing the politics in the staff to keep the heat off of his offensive performance last year. The Worst offense in his history anywhere. The defense does not play lights out and that 7-2 early record is probably more like 5-4. They held the Pats to 7 points in Foxboro and BAL to 3 points in DEN. Both of those games were won against strong Playoff caliber teams with defense and not offense. The national media was all over the lack of offensive production every week. Now, it has been quashed with Coyer and Patterson being fired and Bates being brought in to "rescue" the defense. This move was in the works well before the season was over...

[BroncoInferno]

So, you think it's a combination of Shanny trying to be a nice guy coupled with his arrogance that he can carry the weight of the offense personally? I suppose I could buy that. I think the offense is going to top 5 next season regardless. I trust Shanny to call the offensive shots and take the brunt of the responsiblity. This season the offensive results were poor, but we had some serious personnel issues that some of the younger guys (Marshall, Scheffler, Cutler) plus any off season additions will help solve.

[Garcia Bronco]

I was told this hasn't actually happened yet. True?

[Steve Sewell]

So, you think it's a combination of Shanny trying to be a nice guy coupled with his arrogance that he can carry the weight of the offense personally? I suppose I could buy that. I think the offense is going to top 5 next season regardless. I trust Shanny to call the offensive shots and take the brunt of the responsiblity. This season the offensive results were poor, but we had some serious personnel issues that some of the younger guys (Marshall, Scheffler, Cutler) plus any off season additions will help solve.

Think about our offense for a second. Pretty much all the key players at the skill positions were in their first year of the system: Cutler, Marshall, Scheff, Walker, and M Bell. Add to that we lost our starting LT (who I consider to be Pro-Bowl caliber) for the season early on, the typically productive Rod Smith has finally started to slow down, and Jake Plummer was the QB for 3/4 of the season. Of course the offense isn't going to be as productive.

But think about this...Cutler got a ton of good game experience and looked very impressive, Bell has better vision than Tatum and he runs harder, Scheff really shined when Cutler came in (I think he will be a stud), and Marshall also shined when Cutler got his chance. Before that it was limited to Plummer throwing slants to Rod and Javon and hoping Javon could run it 80 yards to score. Or locking in on freakin Stephen Alexander when the play called to go to the TE...LOL.

All of the key returning players were first year players in the Bronco system last year. I am REALLY excited about the offense for next year, and I think they will easily be top 5 in the league. This will help cover the holes we may have on the d-line and at the S position, regardless of what happens in FA and the draft. The defense wore down and was exposed after the halfway mark. Remember when we were all talking about the Broncos defense potentially being one of the best of all time at the beginning of the year? If you have no offense to compliment it, you will more than likely fail down the stretch. Personally I think our poor offense (and HORRENDOUS special teams, but that's another matter altogether) was the difference between the 9-7 season and a 12-4 season.

In other words, Mediator has a point...sorry for the novel.

[bronco militia]

I would have been more concerned if the Broncos had not made any moves with the coaching staff

[cmhargrove]

I think the moves so far have been great, and I believe the defense did need some retooling. Obviously, we have had some incredible defensive performances over the last couple of seasons, but when things were on the line, we became predictable, and we folded. That is just fact, we couldn't find a way to shut down Indy for 2 years, the Steelers last year, and even San Francisco this year. We had great streaks, but have to have more creativity (and some new D-line players) to contend for the title.
On offense I am completely pumped. When have we been as focused as we will be this offseason???? We know we now have some serious pro-caliber weapons and our coaches can be scheming all offseason on new spread formations that will lead to quick scoring drives, then open up the run for our RB's. We will probably add at least one new RB to make things exciting. The emergence of Pears is exciting. If he moves to RT, and the rest of the line stays healthy, we will look awesome once again. We might also have a couple of our new guys compete for OG, which will only help us all around as a team.
There really isn't anything to bitch about here, the draft and training camp should be extremely exciting for us. I am just so glad we started Cutler this year, and gave him things to work on for next season. I think he should be a little pissed about missing the playoffs and he will try even harder next year. Nothing like having a bad taste in your mouth to make you want to try harder and push the team.
Things look good in Broncoland next year.

[broncosteven]

No, not Slowik. Jeremy Bates, the new DC's son. He was an offensive assistant just like Ryan Slowik was a defensive Assistant for Coyer last year. The problem is hubris, plain and simple. He believes that hiring his buddies and there sons will be great for their carreers and that he will help them get to where they need to go as coordinators or other head coaches. He does the majority of the offfensive work personally and lets them ride along until they are able to get better jobs.

Steve Watson is going to be "promoted" to the Front office because he is not a good coach and the other coaches were tired of redoing his work every week. Brewster really was caught in a bind until he got that MIN job. He wanted more input in the offense as it related to the TE's, but was frustrated continually.

What I think you all are missing is that Shanahan is playing the politics in the staff to keep the heat off of his offensive performance last year. The Worst offense in his history anywhere. The defense does not play lights out and that 7-2 early record is probably more like 5-4. They held the Pats to 7 points in Foxboro and BAL to 3 points in DEN. Both of those games were won against strong Playoff caliber teams with defense and not offense. The national media was all over the lack of offensive production every week. Now, it has been quashed with Coyer and Patterson being fired and Bates being brought in to "rescue" the defense. This move was in the works well before the season was over...

I do not have a source inside the locker room but don't the Broncos have one of the highest # of coaching assistants in the league? If Shanny wants to keep their kids around to keep talent in house I don't have a problem with that as long as the kids are low level & not calling the shots & Pat will pay their salary's.

I think it makes for better environment since they spend so much time at Dove Valley. I miss my Daughter when I have to work late & she is in bed before I get home. I can sympathize with them on that front.

The fact that they moved a guy that can't handle the work is a good thing.

As Far as covering for Offensive blunders I don't think anyone expected a 10 year vet to implode & have his worst year ever. People can blame coaching or Shanny for handling Jake by drafting Cutler if they want. I am glad they have Jay & can move on.

[Odysseus]

(snip)What I think you all are missing is that Shanahan is playing the politics in the staff to keep the heat off of his offensive performance last year. The Worst offense in his history anywhere. The defense does not play lights out and that 7-2 early record is probably more like 5-4. They held the Pats to 7 points in Foxboro and BAL to 3 points in DEN. Both of those games were won against strong Playoff caliber teams with defense and not offense. The national media was all over the lack of offensive production every week. Now, it has been quashed with Coyer and Patterson being fired and Bates being brought in to "rescue" the defense. This move was in the works well before the season was over...

Shanahan seems to be getting a bunker mentality. He limited input from a lot of his coaches including Coyer and forced them to work with what he wanted to see happening. Plummer got frustrated and consequently starting getting stupider and stupider. At what point is Heimerdinger going to have his name mentioned? You don't hear Dennison's name mentioned. You hear offense as if it were blob without anyone being responsible for it.

It's become more of a system team where we wash, rinse and repeat. It doesn't matter what we do in the off season for players if we take a guy who can help us and then limit his roles with retarded schemes. This team needs help across the board and it will continue to be hid by smoke and mirrors schemes that come from not being honest about what the real problems are.