According to ESPN.com’s John Clayton, former Denver Broncos’ head coach Mike Shanahan is unlikely to coach before the 2010 season.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen admitted he didn’t have a plan yet to replace Mike Shanahan as head coach, and it sure looks as though Shanahan isn’t going to find the right opportunity to keep him in coaching this season. Bowlen appeared a little lost as to the direction of the coaching search during his version of the news conference Wednesday. During his talk, he said all of Shanahan’s coaches were being let go. Later, it was revealed that he misspoke and offensive coaches such as coordinator Jeremy Bates are staying for now. Shanahan was blindsided by his firing. And unless the Jets decide to throw his name into their search, the Lions and Chiefs don’t look like teams ready for his plans to get to the Super Bowl. Shanahan will coach but it most likely will be in 2010 or later.

Coaching class: If Mike Shanahan does indeed sit for a season, it sets up a remarkable store of head coaching candidates for 2010. Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher and Shanahan should all be available. A team looking for a head coach can’t lose if they get the guy whom they considered the third best from that list.

Well this puts a major crimp in my massive plan to get Shanahan in a Detroit Lions jumpsuit next year, now doesn’t it?