Jan. 13--The Denver Broncos severed ties with coach John Fox on Monday, the team announced.
Fox's availability inevitably will spark speculation involving the Bears' coaching vacancy, given his pre-existing connections to Bears consultant Ernie Accorsi and general manager Ryan Pace.
Fox was the Giants' defensive coordinator in 1998 when Accorsi took over as their GM. Their tenures overlapped until 2002, when Fox left to become the Panthers' coach.
As for Pace, he worked in the Saints' personnel department alongside coach Sean Payton from 2006 until last Thursday. Payton was on the Giants' offensive coaching staff from 1999-2002.
Fox, who turns 60 next month, amassed a 127-95 (.572) record in 13 seasons coaching the Panthers and Broncos. His Panthers lost the Super Bowl in 2003, and his Broncos did in 2014. His teams have won six division championships.
"I am eager to continue my coaching career and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead," Fox said in a statement issued by the Broncos.
The team characterized the move as a mutual parting of ways. Fox and John Elway, the Broncos' executive vice president of football operations, met for more than an hour Monday, a day after the Colts eliminated them from the postseason with a 24-13 win in Denver.
The news jolted the NFL's coaching carousel, increasing the number of openings back to six. The Bears, 49ers, Falcons, Jets, Raiders and now Broncos are in the market for a coach. The Bills hired Rex Ryan on Monday.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
Twitter @Rich_Campbell
