Broncos Ring of Fame head coaches Mike Shanahan and Dan Reeves have taken another step forward in the process for the selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2026.
Shanahan and Reeves were named two of nine semifinalists in the Coach category, the Hall of Fame announced Wednesday. The other 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 select one of those nine candidates to be the sole Coach finalist to be considered by the full Selection Committee for election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
Shanahan is the winningest head coach in franchise history, as he tallied 146 overall wins — including the team's first two world championships — during his 14 seasons leading the Broncos.
In addition, Shanahan is one of the most-respected offensive minds in NFL history, and the style of offense he developed has spread across the modern NFL.
"He should be in," Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton said 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 three Super Bowl appearances and five AFC West titles, recorded a 117-79-1 overall record across 12 years as the Broncos' head coach. He was also 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 said 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."
