Broncos begin search

The search for Mike Shanahan’s successor took the Denver Broncos brass to the East Coast for weekend interviews with two of the league’s hottest coaching candidates.

Owner Pat Bowlen, chief operating officer Joe Ellis and personnel chief Jim Goodman jetted off to New York on Saturday for a dinner meeting with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, followed by a conversation today with New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

The trio will return to Denver for interviews at team headquarters next week with Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

Also, the first internal candidate emerged when deputy Rick Dennison asked for an interview next week.

Jets interview Spagnuolo

The New York Jets interviewed Giants defensive coordinator Spagnuolo about their coaching vacancy.

Spagnuolo, one of the team’s top candidates, also met Thursday with Cleveland and Detroit about their openings, and was scheduled to talk to Denver on Saturday night.

The Jets spoke with current assistants Bill Callahan and Brian Schottenheimer on Friday in the first round of interviews since the team fired Eric Mangini on Monday. No other interviews were scheduled as of Saturday night, although New York has received permission to speak with Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan.

Marinelli to Chicago?

A coaching shake-up for the Bears could involve the addition of Rod Marinelli, but the agent for the fired Detroit Lions coach doesn’t anticipate an immediate move.

Marinelli was at Halas Hall on Friday with Bears coach Lovie Smith. Frank Bauer downplayed his client’s visit, even though Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said Tuesday he would love to have Marinelli on the staff.