Sean Payton reflects on ‘Friend, confidant’ Mike Shanahan after passing Broncos legend on all-time victories list

Denver Broncos Coach Sean Payton reached a milestone on Sunday that connects two eras of the history of the franchise. The 20-12 victory of the Broncos against the Tennessee Titans Marked Payton’s 171st victory in the regular season, making him moved past the former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and formerly Goses Coach Tom Coughlin for the 18th on the NFLs Coaching Wintlist of all time. Payton shares the place with Las Vegas Raiders Coach Pete Carroll, who also won his 171st victory in his return to the sidelines in week 1.

Most of Payton’s victories were achieved more than 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, with whom he was imprisoned Super bowl XLIV in 2009, but his arrival in Denver quickly changed the team’s process. After inheriting a Broncos team that went 5-12 in 2023, Payton helped the franchise to turn on an eight-year-old Playoff-Driedte in just his second season.

Passing Shanahan, who led the Broncos to back-to-back super bowl titles in 1997 and 1998, has a special personal meaning for Payton. Both coaches share roots in Eastern Illinois, where Shanahan played Quarterback and also played Payton in the position. Their shared Eastern Illinois roots have made Shanahan both a mentor and a good friend of Payton.

“There are certain times when you feel your age,” Payton said Monday, Per Kusa in Denver. “I grew up on Mike Shanahan and went to school in Oost -Iillinois. At that time he was like 1A, one man who took it out and took the NFL … He has been a great good friend and I would say trust.”

For Payton, Shanahan’s surpassing on the list of coaching victories is not just a figures game. He sees it as a moment to think about a career formed by lifespan, mentorship and the players he has coached on the way.

“I don’t know where that master list is [for coaching wins] And it’s not something you’re looking at, “Payton went on.” But it put in perspective how happy, how long the career has been and how many good players I have been able to coach. Look, let’s hope I have the chance to win a second super bowl like Mike Shanahan. “

Payton also expressed admiration for the permanent legacy of Shanahan.

“This is his year, the next year, but soon he goes into the Hall of Fame,” said Payton. “And probably it should have been within two or three years ago. But that will come very quickly. So something like that you think you reflect more on it than you concentrate on it.”