The Denver Broncos are interested in giving the coaching job to Cowboys’ assistant coach Jason Garrett.

IRVING – Mike Shanahan’s surprising dismissal from Denver could benefit Jason Garrett.

The Broncos released a statement saying they have asked permission to speak with the Cowboys’ assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, and he is expected to interview with Denver next week.

The Detroit Lions have also received permission to talk with Garrett about their vacancy at head coach.

Last year, Garrett turned down Baltimore’s offer to become head coach. He also interviewed with Atlanta.

With quarterback Jay Cutler and wide receiver Brandon Marshall, the Broncos job would be more enticing than Detroit’s. The Lions became the first team in NFL history to finish 0-16 this season, and the Broncos missed the playoffs by losing their final three games.

Denver owner Pat Bowlen has had the opportunity to see Garrett up close the last two seasons with the Cowboys and Broncos practicing against each other in training camp and playing in the preseason.

Other reported candidates for the Denver job include New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Tampa Bay defensive backs coach Raheem Morris, who is scheduled to become the Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator.

Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman has received interest from St. Louis, according to a source, but the Rams have yet to seek formal permission to talk with him.

According to league rules, a team can deny a request for any position other than head coach, even if it is viewed as a promotion.

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Highlights: Denver Broncos want to talk with Dallas Cowboys’ Garrett

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When contacted today Bowden said, “I made a full commitment to get back into coaching almost two years ago, and West Virginia obviously would be the dream job for me.”

Beyond that, Bowden would not comment, but Bowden’s interest in the WVU position is well known.

In an appearance on Metronews Talkline recently Bowden predicted he would be back into college coaching in a matter of weeks.

Bowden has strong ties to WVU. He played at West Virginia as a reserve running back from 1977-78 while his father, Bobby, coached there.

In 1983, at age 26, Bowden took his first head coaching job at Salem College. Later, he coached at Samford and eventually took over at Auburn.

He coached Auburn from 1993 until 1998, leading the Tigers to a mark of 47-16-1 and three post-season appearances.

After Auburn, he moved into the role of college football analyst on television and radio.

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Terry Bowden: WVU is his dream job

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Associate athletic director Bruce Madej confirmed to a Free Press report this afternoon that Rodriguez would be the Wolverines’ 17th football coach.

U-M has scheduled a news conference for 9 a.m. Monday on campus.

Rodriguez had a 10-minute meeting with his team early this afternoon, told the 11th-ranked Mountaineers that he was leaving for Michigan and went back to his office, according to West Virginia media reports.

His players had little comment but looked downtrodden.

Also, the country’s top quarterbacking prospect told Superprep.com this afternoon that Rodriguez had called with similar news.

“I just spoke to Coach Rodriguez about 10 minutes ago and he told me he is going to Michigan,” the QB, Terrelle Pryor, told Superprep.com. “He said they made him an offer he can’t refuse.”

Pryor, from Jeannette, Pa., told the recruiting site that he wanted to add Michigan to his list of finalists. West Virginia had been on the list.

Rodriguez’s decision came after nearly two days of pondering Friday’s discussion and, according to the Charleston Gazette, two meetings with West Virginia athletic director Ed Pastilong on Saturday.

Although Rodriguez did not comment about the U-M job at his previously scheduled Saturday morning news conference, instead talking about his team’s impeding Fiesta Bowl date against Oklahoma, his lack of a denial kept hope alive for many Wolverines fans. Combined with his decision to cancel an afternoon practice, a move seemed possible.

Rodriguez made nearly $1.8 million this season, according to a recent USA Today survey of college coaches.

A 44-year-old coach who has won at least 10 games in each of the past three seasons, including two BCS bowl trips, seemed to fit many of Martin’s criteria.

He recruits the Midwest well, he is young enough that he could be a long-term fixture at U-M and brings the dynamic spread offense that has thrived everywhere he has been as a coordinator (Tulane and Clemson) and a head coach (Glenville State and, since 2001, West Virginia.)

His 60-26 record at West Virginia is sterling, although procuring him appeared costly with a $4 million buyout added in a contract amendment signed in August 2007.

Carr is still expected to coach Michigan in the Jan. 1 Capital One Bowl against ninth-ranked Florida.

Martin attended the Michigan basketball game Saturday but refused comment on anything related to the search, which began officially when Carr announced his retirement on Nov. 19.

Rodriguez’s acceptance would brings to an end the long and winding process to replace Carr.

Michigan had reached deep discussions with Rutgers coach Greg Schiano before he pulled out of the race on Dec. 7. There were extensive discussions between LSU coach Les Miles’ representatives and U-M. Miles officially spoke to Coleman and Martin on Dec. 7, although released a statement saying it was just in an advisory capacity.

Like Schiano, Rodriguez was in his second major job flirtation in 12 months, having spurned Alabama last December.

Rodriguez also has a tenuous tie to Ann Arbor in his former West Virginia coach Don Nehlen, who was one of Bo Schemebchler’s assistants before leaving to build the Mountaineers’ program.

There have been 16 Division I-A coaching changes since the regular season ended and Michigan was one of three – UCLA and SMU – that had not been filled.

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West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez accepts Wolverines job

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