Running backs coach Eric Studesville will serve as interim coach for the final month, succeeding McDaniels, 34, whose hiring by team owner Pat Bowlen in January 2009 is now viewed as a monumental mistake.
In a statement, team owner Pat Bowlen said: "My decision to relieve Josh McDaniels as head coach was not taken lightly. I will always be appreciative of his passion, enthusiasm and hard work, and I thank him for his efforts."
Studesville and chief operating officer Joe Ellis will meet with the media Tuesday. There was no word on whether McDaniels would hold a farewell news conference.
The Broncos are expected to undergo an extensive search for a new head coach in the offseason.
Players didn't know of McDaniels' firing when they left team headquarters after a conditioning run ended at 3 p.m. Shortly after that, McDaniels met with Bowlen and was fired with two years left on his contract.
McDaniels then met with his assistants. He didn't return a message left by the AP seeking comment.
McDaniels had nearly $7 million left on his contract, and Bowlen is still on the hook for millions more he owes Mike Shanahan, whom he fired last year. That means he'll be paying three head coaches next season.
However, since the videotaping incident, the team has researched whether it could fire the coach "for cause," in which they would not owe McDaniels the balance of his contract, according to team and league sources.
Josh McDaniels Fired As Head Coach
Comments