One is an assistant turned head coach, the other a head coach demoted to assistant.

Josh McDaniels and Mike Nolan have many differences, but are similar as well.

McDaniels is the unsung, young, bright-eyed head coach that has taken control from the beginning of his campaign.

McDaniels spent the past eight seasons with the New England Patriots, and the previous three as the team’s offensive coordinator/quarterback coach. He led the Patriots to their NFL-best offense in 2007, scoring 589 points on 75 touchdowns with over 6,500 yards.

With Denver, he has grabbed the reigns and told owner Pat Bowlen to hold on.

McDaniels, only 33 years old, hired Brian Xanders as GM, and fired many of the ’08 Broncos’ horrible defensive players, including Dre’ Bly and Dwayne Robertson. In all, only Champ Bailey, D.J. Williams, Elvis Dumervil, and Marcus Thomas are still on the team looking to play in 2009.

Mike Nolan has been brought in to reshape a Broncos defense that was 30th overall, 30th in points, and 29th in total yards allowed. For Nolan, at least one thing is for sure; there is no where to go but up.

Broncos fans should be excited for the coming of Nolan, an ex-49ers head coach, as their defensive coordinator. At least this year, Denver fans will know who the coordinator is, as he will be their fourth in as many years.

Mike Nolan has 11 years of defensive coordinator experience and was the 49ers head coach for the past four seasons. In all, Noan is very experienced. With 22 years in the NFL, he can possibly lend some advice to McDaniels.

As of now, Nolan is almost old enough to be McDaniels’ dad, but he must work together well with his new boss. So far, the two have agreed that Denver must have a complete overhaul, switching over to the 3-4 defense.

While only a few months from preseason, Denver still has many question marks on the defensive end, including how well the new alignment will work.

Dumervil should be moving to outside linebacker from defensive end, and newly acquired players from trades, free agency, and the draft all have to step in to start this year.

While it must have been hard for Bowlen to fire Shanahan after a disappointing 2008 season, the changes should prove prosperous with McDaniels’ brain and Nolan’s defensive brawn.

Plus, with almost no one in Denver even knowing McDaniels’ name until his hiring, at the very least Nolan provides a recognizable face on the sidelines. Not to mention that Nolan is the best dressed coach in the NFL, wearing a suit every game.

One major aspect of both coaches is that they are winners and highly competitive.

For the Broncos and Bowlen, it is hoped that McDaniels and Nolan can not only get along but prosper as coaches for the Mile High city’s orange and blue warriors.

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