Denver Broncos seek interview with Detroit Lions DC

The Denver Broncos have reportedly requested permission to interview Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.

If you ran a good defense this year, chances are you’re in the running to be someone’s head coach. That trend continued this week as the newly vacated Denver Broncos head coaching position is up for grabs and the team is casting its net far and wide for John Fox’s replacement.

Their latest look has Denver eyeing Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who led a defense that was among the best in the NFL in 2014.

Broncos requested permission for HC interview with Lions DC Teryl Austin, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2015

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The Detroit Lions surrendered the second-fewest yards per game in the league this past regular season. They also allowed the second-fewest points per game. They sat in the top ten in sacks and interceptions as well. Basically, if you can find a category of team defense, the Lions were probably very high on that thanks to one of the best defensive lines in the league and a secondary that caught many by surprise with its efficiency.

Now it appears Austin is ready to discuss that success with a team interested in learning all about it.

The Broncos, meanwhile, are a team in flux with plenty of talent and just as many questions. Will they have Peyton Manning next season? That’s the biggest question right now as it changes everything with this team. The defense has no such question though and Austin would have trouble finding a more talented all-around defense than the one residing in Denver.

There’s no question Austin would embrace the challenge of taking the talented Denver Broncos back to the playoffs and finishing the job John Fox started. The biggest cause for concern would probably stem from the team. How serious are the Broncos about hiring Austin, who has never been a head coach? Is this more done as a ‘Rooney Rule’ interview or one of legitimate interest?

The Broncos could hardly go wrong with hiring another defense-first guy, but at the end of the day the offense was the greater concern. The defense did its part even in the Divisional Round loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Holding the league’s top passer to 24 points isn’t bad at all. It was the offense scoring 13 that did the team in.

That’s why it still makes sense that Denver would look to the offense for leadership on this team. That said, don’t sleep on an unknown candidate like Teryl Austin building some momentum during this wacky time of year.

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