This week on the Daly Dose, we heard from a number of listeners concerning the freezing cold temperatures that hit the state of Colorado last week!
The Denver Broncos fired their head coach, and we discuss what could be next, plus the NFL Playoff race is taking shape. Who are the teams to watch, coming down the stretch?
Then we look back at the year 2022 in the world of sports by reflecting on some of the biggest names in the world of sports that we have lost over the past year. From the NFL, NBA, MLB, the NHL and college sports, we have lost a number of sports stars that you may have missed.
Finally, our Daly Dose Top 5 counts down the Top 5 most memorable sports stories from the year that was 2022. What stories will we remember the most?
The new Denver Broncos ownership watched the giant lump of coal that the team laid on Christmas day in Los Angeles, and thankfully pulled the plug on first year head coach Nathaniel Hackett, after just 15 games on the job.
Hackett’s short tenure was marred by penalties, turnovers, poor production, disorganization, fights on the sideline, and losing.
Lots and lots of losing.
The Broncos went 4-11 on Hackett’s watch, and the final game, a 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, seemed to capture the Hackett era perfectly.
The Broncos’ offense once again sputtered, producing just 323 total yards while quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Brett Rypien combined for four interceptions. Wilson was sacked six times, and hit 12 times.
The Broncos’ defense allowed the Baker Mayfield-led Rams offense to rack up over six yards per play, and they never sacked Mayfield even once.
There was also a fight on the sideline between teammates Brett Rypien and Dalton Risner. Following the game, linebacker Randy Gregory was in an altercation with Rams offensive lineman Oday Aboushi, and both have been suspended for a game.
This was Hackett’s era at its chatoic worst.
On Monday, ownership announced that Greg Penner and George Paton would lead the search for the Broncos’ next head coach.
Here are a few candidates that they will be looking at for the job:
Sean Payton, former New Orleans Saints head coach: the former Saints head coach led one of the worst franchises in league history to a Super Bowl title, and made the Saints a perrenial contender. His offenses were high scoring and he revived the career of a then injured Drew Brees. However, since he resigned from the Saints, the Broncos would have to give New Orleans some compensation in the form of draft picks. Yet, Payton might be the guy that could revive Wilson’s career, and finally get some production out of this offense. Can the Broncos somehow lure Payton to Denver?
Dan Quinn, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator: The Broncos took a long look at Quinn before they hired Hackett, and his work with the Cowboys has been solid. He has helped Micah Parsons become a star. Don’t forget that Quinn has a history with Wilson, having been the defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks back in 2013-2014. Quinn does have head coaching experience, he took the Atlanta Falcons to a Super Bowl, which is nothing short of impressive.
DeMeco Ryans, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator: At just 38 years of age, Ryans will be one of the youngest candidates out there, and he has no head coaching experience, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t capable. Ryans has the Niners defense winning games for them this year, and allowing just 15 points per game. Would the Broncos be willing to take another chance on an unproven talent? Ryans could be future star, but he is also a risky choice.
DeMeco Ryans is just so damn good at what he does.
It's 3rd down and Chargers have a RB on Nick Bosa's side (to chip him if he rushes and slow him down).
So what does Ryans do? Drops Bosa into coverage, brings 51 and 29 on a blitz, which forces Herbert to throw it away. pic.twitter.com/Wzi6qkyvXP
Eric Bieniemy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator: There is no questioning the production of the offense in Kansas City, what is in question is how much Bieniemy is responsible for creating. Head coach Andy Reid is an offensive genius, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is consistently one of the best signal callers in the league. Bieniemy would have some supporters in Colorado, having played his college ball in Boulder, but he is another coach without head coaching experience. Bieniemy could be a dicey proposition, at least for this job.
Colorado Legends: Eric Bieniemy ⏪
Unstoppable on the run. All-time leader in rushing & rushing TDs. Consensus All-America.
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) January 28, 2020
Ejiro Evero, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator: While the Hackett era was an utter disaster, Evero’s defense was a bright spot at times. Despite being placed in difficult situations constantly by the inept offense, Evero’s group allowed just 1.64 points per drive, and he has learned from some great defensive minds like Dom Capers, Wade Phillips, Monte Kiffin and Vic Fangio. However, Evero is also unproven as a head coach, and would the new ownership really be willing to keep anyone around from the previous regime?
Derek Carr has been a hard QB for DEN to sack over the years. #Broncos DC Ejiro Evero dials up a great stunt with great player execution allowing D.J. Jones to sack Carr. pic.twitter.com/Y5aXhukWiI
Leslie Frazier, Buffalo Bills assistant head coach and defensive coordinator: Frazier and general manager George Paton worked together for seven seasons in Minnesota from 2007 to 2013. Frazier was also the assistant head coach and defensive backs coach for the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 when the Colts won a Super Bowl with a guy named Peyton Manning. The 63 year old Frazier went just 21-32-1 as a head coach, but Buffalo has the league’s second-best scoring defense through 15 weeks of the NFL season, and Frazier could be ready for his second shot at the helm. One point in Frazier’s favor could be his ability to limit Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offenseat times while with the Bills.
After such a dismal season, Broncos Country has been rooting for the end of such a dysfunctional era, but now this new ownership is facing a pivotal decision in franchise history.
This week on the Daly Dose, we explain why it is okay if your holiday this year is less than perfect!
Argentina actually won Qatar World Cup 2022, and Deion Sanders closed out his career at Jackson State in less than a stellar manner.
Then, we are reading our Daly Dose letter to Santa Claus and letting him know a number of things in the world of sports that we would like him to fix. We have ideas to help CFB, the NFL, MLB, NBA, the NHL and even College Basketball!
Finally, our Daly Dose Top 5 counts down the Top 5 holiday gifts for sports fans in 2022 that you would be well advised to avoid!
This week on the Daly Dose YouTube video, our Daly Dose Top 5 counts down the Top 5 holiday gifts for sports fans in 2022 that you would be well advised to avoid!
Dear Santa Claus, I am writing you today to ask for a number of things for Christmas. As usual, we here at the Daly Dose have been very good, and I am hoping that you can bring us these things on our list. Trust us, these things aren’t just for us…they are for the entire Rocky Mountain region.
Santa, first we really need to fix the Denver Broncos. Yes, I know they finally got a win on Sunday, as the Bronco’s junior varsity beat the Arizona Cardinal’s junior varsity, but this team is a mess. The coaching has been abhorrent. I have never seen so many injuries, and the Broncos are about to have the longest stetch without a winning season of any team in the NFL. If you could bring us some coaching wisdom, a few player healthy returns, some offensive line help, and a rejuvinated Russell Wilson, we would really appreciate it. This defense might be special, but they get put in porr positions by the offense every week.
Saint Nick, can we please see the return of any sort of competitve college football to this area? We are literally dependent on a military academy to be the best this state as to offer. I love Air Force, but shouldn’t the University of Colorado and Colorado State be bringing something to the table? They used to go to bowl games. They used to be ranked. The last time that both Colorado and Colorado State were both ranked, George W. was still in office. Can you help us get back to that level of success again soon? Hopefully Deion Sanders and Jay Norvell will be the right guys for these jobs.
Mr. Claus, I am going to ask for something, and I should know better. I realize that my hometown Denver Nuggets can never have nice things. They are one of the two oldest franchises (along with the dreaded Los Angeles Clippers) to never have even made it to the NBA Finals. But Santa, this group has so much talent. Nikola Jokic is making a run to be named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the third year in a row. But that isn’t enough. This team needs to win. They need to win something of importance. Could you maybe bring some bench help for the Nuggets? When the Joker leaves the floor, this team goes in the toilet. That could be the difference in this team having a shot at actually advancing in the playoffs this spring.
Mr Cringle, the Colorado Avalanche are the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Although right now, it is hard to recognize them, because of all of their injuries. The Avalanche have gotten some guys back, like Valeri Nichushkin and Evan Rodrigues, but they’re still missing the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Bowen Byram, Josh Manson, Darren Helm and Gabriel Landeskog. I’m not sure what kind of rehab facilities you have at the North Pole, but this team needs to be healthy to really have any chance at a repeat.
Father Christmas, when I was young man growing up in Colorado, I remember wishing we had a Major League Baseball team. I am still wishing for that now in 2022. Whatever you can do is appreciated.
Finally Santa, I realize that college football in this area is possibly the worst it has ever been, but is there any chance that we could see a couple of the local collegiate basketball programs make a run at March Madness? The Colorado State Rams are 8-4. The Colorado Buffaloes are 7-5. Is it too much to ask for some sort of collegiate excitement in this area?
This week on the Daly Dose, we remind listeners that this point of the holiday season can be hazardous to your career!
Then we are joined by Lee Povey, a co-founder of a platform that is actively looking to help coaches!! Coaches Soul is a company that is focusing on supporting the growth and improving the performance of coaches, so that they can develop great athletes, people and thrive in their coaching careers.
Lee discusses some of the biggest obstacles that coaches and leaders are facing in their work, and how Coaches Soul is helping them overcome those challenges!
Finally, this week marks the 8th Anniversary of the Daly Dose Sports Podcast! We flash back to some past Daly Dose Top 5s where we reflect on all that we have learned from this experience and why you should keep tuning into the Dose every week!
When it comes to college athletics, people often miss the forest for the trees. Everyone wants to be a football or basketball school that dominates every game, but often many miss the teams that do just that, but in sports that don’t get as much attention.
That ends today.
It’s time to recognize what your favorite school’s real best sport is, and it’s not football.
Texas
Texas has been back. In fact, Texas never left. To question the dominance of a program that has packed arenas and brought hardware to trophy cases consistently over the last four decades would be silly, because no one has done swimming and diving like the Longhorns.
Texas history of winning in the pool dates back to the 1930’s. Texas was the Men’s Southwest Conference Champions 38 times from the year 1932-1996. They’ve continued to lead the pack in the Big-12, where they have won every single championship since the conference the league began in 1997.
The women’s team is just as dominant, winning their 20 th Big-12 championship in 2022. The combined men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams account for 22 NCAA national championships.
University of Denver
If a sport requires a cold setting, chances are the University of Denver Pioneers are going to be a top contender. The Pios recently added 2022 NCAA Hockey National Champions to their resume, and while they have dominated the ice in the last few decades, nobody has been able to compete with their skiing program.
They hold an NCAA record of 24 National Championships, four more than the runner up University of Colorado. The 24 championships is third most among any team in a single sport event. Eighty individual champions have worn the crimson and gold dating back to 1954. The program has sent skiers to every single Winter Olympics from 1948-2018.
Cal, USC, UCLA, Stanford
The entire state of California holds a monopoly on the sport of water polo, so much so that there has never been a non-California school in a NCAA division one championship.
Of all the California schools, Cal Berkley is king of the pool. They currently hold the title of back-to-back NCAA Champions after they defeated USC 13-12. It is the fifteenth time they’ve floated to the top of the water polo world. UCLA, Stanford, and USC are close behind them with 12, 11, and 10 championships.
UCLA and USC’s fierce rivalry continues in the water. The two schools consistently rank near the top of the rankings, which only increases the intensity of the match. Every time the two schools faced each other in 2022, the match ended with a score within two points or less.
North Carolina
Let’s set something straight, the University of North Carolina is a field hockey school. Four out of the last five NCAA championships have gone to the Tar Heels. Their most recent championship in 2022 capped off a perfect 21-0 season. For the last 42 years they were led by the winningest head coach in NCAA division one history, Karen Shelton.
Under Shelton’s management the team won 10 national championships and 25 conference championships. In her time with the team, she also sent 16 players to represent the US in the Olympics.
She retired after the 2022 season, leaving the program on a high note. They are currently searching for the next head coach to continue their dominance.
Nebraska
With the death of Nebraska football rose a new program that would go on to dominate the NCAA, bowling. Beginning as a club in 1990, they were at the top of the the club bowling scene, amassing national championships in 1991 and 1995. In 1996 it became recognized as a varsity sport by the school, and in 2003 it became an official NCAA team.
From there, the team took off. The team has never been ranked below seventh nationally. Their sixth and most recent championship came in 2021, where they knocked off Arkansas to win the NCAA Bowling Tournament. The same year Crystal Elliot was named National Bowler of the Year, the ninth Corn Husker to win the title.
Notre Dame
The gold helmets of Notre Dame are worn proudly by their best athletes, the fencing team. The fencing team competes in the ACC where they have held 42 conference championships.
From 1975-1980 the Irish won 122 straight matches breaking the NCAA record for most consecutive varsity matches won in a row. The record stood for over a decade. During that span they picked up their first of 12 national championships, their most recent coming in 2022. Both the men’s and women’s teams have seen success over the years, they have 41 individual champions combined in program history.
In conclusion
It’s time to stop pretending your favorite school is something it’s not. Taking a deep dive into what a school is really good at is eye opening, so take pride in what they’re good at, even if they don’t play on a Saturday.
This week on the Daly Dose YouTube video, we are joined by Lee Povey, a co-founder of a platform that is actively looking to help coaches!
Coaches Soul is a company that is focusing on supporting the growth and improving the performance of coaches, so that they can develop great athletes, people and thrive in their coaching careers.
Lee discusses some of the biggest obstacles that coaches and leaders are facing in their work, and how Coaches Soul is helping them overcome those challenges!
“I am not happy with moral victories. Those things are forgotten.” -Bobby Bowden
The Denver Broncos lost their fifth game in a row on Sunday, falling to their division rival, the Kansas City Chiefs 34-28.
The loss drops the Broncos to 3-10 on the season. It was their 14th loss in a row to the Chiefs.
The last time this franchise actually beat Kansas City, Peyton Manning was the quarterback, and Bradley Roby returned a Jamaal Charles fumble for a touchdown to clinch the game.
Ancient history, you might say.
Once again, the Broncos came painfully close to actually getting the victory.
Once again, the Broncos made too many mistakes to actually win the game.
After spotting the Chiefs a 27-0 lead late in the second quarter, something flipped.
Maybe it was wide receiver Jerry Jeudy losing his mind, and screaming at anyone and everyone, not to mention bumping an official…a move that should have led to an ejection.
Maybe it was the interception, made by linebacker Josey Jewell, of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes just before the end of the first half.
Whatever it was, something sparked the Broncos to actually look like the team that we have been expecting to see all season.
There was Russell Wilson looking like the quarterback we thought we were getting, throwing for 247 yard and two touchdowns. Wilson also ran for 57 yards, and went out on his shield, sustaining a concussion by diving for a first down on a third and long.
There was the Broncos’ defense intercepting Mahomes three times, and holding the Chiefs to just seven second half points.
There was Jeudy, who after his outburst, produced the best game by a Denver wide receiver since the late Demaryius Thomas. Jeudy caught eight passes for 73 and scored three touchdowns.
There was running back Marlon Mack, rumbling and stumbling his way to a 66 yard touchdown, to bring the Broncos within six points of division leading Chiefs in the fourth quarter.
There were our 3-9 Denver Broncos, actually in a dog fight with the 9-3 Kansas City Chiefs, late in the game despite being completely outmanned and overmatched.
Which leads us to two very important questions.
1. Where has this been all season?
If the Broncos had scored even 20 points per game this season, they would be in the throes of a playoff race. The fact is, this team has been its own worst enemy with all of the turnovers, penalties, and general dysfunction.
2. Does this moral victory mean a single thing to this team going forward?
Unfortunately, probably not. With all of the injuries on this roster, it’s hard to imagine this group building much of anything on this performance.
With the next two games up, being the below average Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams, there is the opportunity for the Broncos give us some reason for hope going forward.
However, if you have been watching this team all season, then you know this was probably nothing more than just another fluky game that will soon be forgotten.
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