Mike Shanahan, Dan Reeves chosen as coach semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026

Broncos Ring of Fame head coaches Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves have taken one other step ahead within the course of for the choice to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.

Shanahan and Reeves have been named two of 9 semifinalists within the Coach class, the Hall of Fame introduced Wednesday. The different semifinalists are Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Mike Holmgren, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Marty Schottenheimer and George Seifert.

The Hall of Fame’s Coach Blue-Ribbon Committee will choose a kind of 9 candidates to be the only Coach finalist to be thought-about by the total Selection Committee for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2026.

Shanahan is the winningest head coach in franchise historical past, as he tallied 146 total wins — together with the crew’s first two world championships — throughout his 14 seasons main the Broncos.

In addition, Shanahan is likely one of the most-respected offensive minds in NFL historical past, and the model of offense he developed has unfold throughout the trendy NFL.

“He should be in,” Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton mentioned in October. “He’s going to get in. He needs to get in sooner than later. Two championships, the coaching tree, the history as a coordinator and then as a head coach. I don’t even want to compare him against others that are in or candidates to be in, but his impact, beyond just two Super Bowls, his impact on the game and offensively, having played against his teams.”

Reeves, who led Denver to 3 Super Bowl appearances and 5 AFC West titles, recorded a 117-79-1 total report throughout 12 years because the Broncos’ head coach. He was additionally a two-time AP Coach of the Year after his tenure in Denver.

“When you look at all Dan did in this league with all the success, all the Super Bowls and all the wins, I don’t think there is any question he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” John Elway mentioned in 2022. “What he’s been able to do — taking two different teams to four Super Bowls and going to nine Super Bowls overall — is incredible. That speaks for just how far-reaching his impact was throughout this league not only as a coach but also what he did as a player.”