THE SIDELINES : Shanahan Looks to Kentucky

Broncos quarterback coach Mike Shanahan is a leading candidate for the head football coaching job at Kentucky, a Denver newspaper reported today.

The Denver Post reported that Shanahan, 37, who returned to the Broncos in October after being fired by the Raiders, has talked to Kentucky athletic director C. M. Newton about the position.

Kentucky is looking for successor to Jerry Claiborne, who resigned after the past season.

Another reported candidate for the position is University of Pittsburgh head coach Mike Gottfried, but Gottfried’s agent, Mitch Dukov said Thursday his client is not under consideration.

Shanahan was offensive coordinator for the Broncos before taking the Raiders head coach job. He was fired by owner Al Davis because of the team’s losing record and replaced by Art Shell. The Broncos then rehired Shanahan as quarterbacks coach.