Broncos hire 49ers’ Scangarello as new offensive coordinator

SANTA CLARA >> Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard will have a new quarterbacks coach when they report back for the 49ers offseason program in April.

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday hired Rich Scangarello to be a first-time offensive coordinator. Scangarello spent the past two years as the 49ers quarterbacks coach.

The Broncos quarterback situation has been unstable since Peyton Manning left after the 2015 season’s Super Bowl run. Case Keenum went 6-10 this season — including a Dec. 9 loss at the 49ers — and, with only one year left on his contract, the Broncos and new coach Vic Fangio are hunting for a new QB.

“Obviously, we’ve got to — Case (Keenum) is probably a short-term fix — find the longterm guy for us,” general manager John Elway told NBC Sports’ Peter King. “When we do find that guy, we’ve got to have the continuity on the offensive side to where we can train him and develop him and get him there.”

Garoppolo, who’s coming off reconstructive knee surgery, is the 49ers long-term guy. Keeping both Mullens and Beathard is wise until Garoppolo’s health is assured, but trading one of the backups is indeed possible, and Mullens likely would be more coveted.

Despite losing Scangarello, coach Kyle Shanahan still has his closest offensive confidants in Mike LaFleur and Mike McDaniels, who serve as coordinators of the 49ers’ pass and run games, respectively. Either could be shifted into Scangarello’s old role, and if it’s LaFleur, perhaps that means a promotion for Katie Sowers to become the wide receivers coach.

Another addition to Fangio’s staff is defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, who worked as the secondary coach with the 49ers from 2011-14.

RICHMOND’S MCKINLEY EVALUATED >> Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takk McKinley is with a family member in Oakland after undergoing a mental evaluation prompted by a friend’s call to Los Angeles police.

Falcons spokesman Brian Cearns told The Associated Press that McKinley “is in a good spot” and has been in “constant communication” with the team, including coach Dan Quinn. Cearns said McKinley, who starred as a prep at Richmond’s Kennedy High, is with an uncle in Oakland. TMZ Sports reported that a friend became concerned for McKinley’s well-being and summoned police. No criminal charges were filed. TMZ Sports says McKinley was cooperative when detained by officers. FORMER DLS AND CAL PLAYER LUPOI TO WORK FOR BROWNS >> Add defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi to the list of Alabama assistant coaches leaving the program for the NFL, according to a report from Reuters. Lupoi, Nick Saban’s defensive coordinator for one season after three seasons as the school’s outside linebackers coach, will be joining the staff of new Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens. Lupoi played at De La Salle High and Cal.

Also

The Lions hired Darrell Bevell as their new offensive coordinator . ... The New York Jets hired Gregg Williams as their defensive coordinator.