Broncos hire new general manager

DENVER, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The Denver Broncos announced Thursday Brian Xanders had been promoted to be the team's new general manager.

Xanders had been an assistant general manager since last May after spending 14 years in the Atlanta Falcons' front office.

Denver has undergone a major shakeup in its operations following a late-season collapse that cost the Broncos a playoff spot. Mike Shanahan was dismissed after 14 years as head coach and was replaced by Josh McDaniels.

The Broncos also announced Thursday that Jim Goodman, the vice president for football operations, and Jeff Goodman, another assistant general manager, had been fired.

"In evaluating the work of our football operations department over the past several weeks, it has become clear to me that Brian Xanders is the right person to step into our general manager's job," Broncos owner and Chief Executive Officer Pat Bowlen said.

Xanders will be responsible for all player personnel issues, including college scouting, pro personnel and labor negotiations.