The Denver Broncos replaced Mike Shanahan, who tied Jeff Fisher as the NFL's longest tenured coach, with the fifth youngest coach in NFL history. The man filling the shoes and already being pegged as "the next Shanahan" by many talking heads is former Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

McDaniels entered the NFL with the Patriots in 2001, and first served as a personnel assistant/coaching assistant. By 2006, he was calling plays as the team's offensive coordinator while also working with Patriots quarterbacks. He was widely praised for his work this season with Matt Cassel, who hadn't started a game since high school.

Within the last two weeks, McDaniels had interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Broncos, Browns, and Rams. The initial interview with the Broncos was held in Providence Jan. 4, while a second interview came this past Thursday.

McDaniels, who becomes the NFL's youngest head coach, was one of seven assistant coaches interviewed by the Broncos.

"This is an opportunity that doesn't come along often," the 32-year-old McDaniels said. "I'm coming to a place where winning is the most important thing. I've learned very quickly it is the most important thing to the (Denver) fans."

NFL broncos, josh mcdaniels, mike shanahan