ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Two days after parting ways with head coach John Fox, it appeared the Denver Broncos would be losing a second coach on Wednesday, but not necessarily a third.
At least not yet.
FOX31 Denver sports director Nick Griffith confirmed through sources that the Oakland Raiders would be hiring Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio to fill their head coaching vacancy.
Less than two hours later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the San Francisco 49ers would promote from within, hiring their own defensive line coach Jim Tomsula rather than Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who interviewed for the position on Wednesday.
For the record, neither the Raiders nor the 49ers had officially announced new head coaches as of late Wednesday afternoon.
Griffith reported that Gase spent Wednesday at Dove Valley, chatting with general manager John Elway about the possibility of taking the head coaching job with the Broncos.
#49ers pass on Gase… "Going different direction"… got to wonder if Gase dragging his feet to hear out Elway persuaded their decision
— Nick Griffith (@NickGriffithTV) January 14, 2015
The Broncos had given no indication whether they would extend an offer to Gase as of Wednesday. Multiple reports had surfaced, however, that the Broncos were seeking an interview with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin.