Carl M.T. “Ted” Sundquist II (born May 1, 1962) is an American football player, manager and commentator. He spent sixteen years working in the National Football League for the Denver Broncos franchise. Sundquist was hired in 1992 as the Player Personnel Assistant and 2 years later promoted to Director of College Scouting; 1995-2001, a span in which the team won its two Super Bowls. In 2001, the Broncos finished 8-8 when Pat Bowlen promoted Sundquist to General Manager.
NFL Executive
Denver Broncos
Sundquist joined the Broncos in 1993 as a scout and climbed through the ranks over his sixteen years within the organization. He spent his first ten years with the organization as Player Personnel Assistant (1992-1994), Director of Scouting from 1995-2001 and then promoted to General Manager.
At the age of 33 Sundquist, one of the youngest front office figures in the NFL at the time, served as College Scouting Director and was in that role during the Broncos’ back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1997 and 1998. He supervised pro and college scouting, and was responsible for salary cap and contract analysis. Sundquist was promoted to GM in 2002 by owner Pat Bowlen after being pursued by both the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons organizations. He was also a finalist for the President position with the Seattle Seahawks in 2004. He started at GM with five consecutive winning seasons, a franchise record. Sundquist left the Broncos following a 7-9 record in 2007 Denver Broncos season.
During his 16 year tenure in the NFL, Sundquist served on numerous committees with the League and other clubs including the National Football Scouting Executive Committee and Board of Directors, the National Invitational Camp (better known as the NFL Combine) Selection Committee, the NFLEL (Europe League) Advisory Committee and the Underclass Advisory Committee.
Player personnel success
During his tenure, Sundquist helped Denver land players such as John Lynch, Daniel Graham, Al Wilson, John Mobley, Brandon Marshall, Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, Clinton Portis (WAS), Reggie Hayward (JAX), Trevor Pryce (BAL), Brian Griese (TB), Deltha O’Neal (NE), and Nick Harris (DET). Sundquist was known for being one of the more active GMs in player acquisition through drafting, signing free agents and trades. Under Sundquist, the Broncos became one of the league’s most active traders. His most notable move came just before the 2004 season, when he dealt star running back Clinton Portis to the Washington Redskins in exchange for cornerback Champ Bailey, another to obtain Dre Bly from the Detroit Lions, and a No. 2 draft pick that turned out to be Tatum Bell. He also engineered a 2006 draft-day deal with St. Louis allowing Denver to move from the No. 29 overall pick to No. 11, where they selected Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler. As a result, Sundquist’s GM term was the start of a franchise-record five consecutive winning seasons.
Contract structuring and budgeting
Sundquist changed the way Denver used technology and scouting structure in putting together a personnel department that supplied the talent to an organization that has won 58 games over 14 years. Sundquist and his personnel department put the Broncos’ financial house back in order during his tenure as GM. From 2002-2007, the organization was ranked 26th in total committed cash while posting a 5th (tied) overall winning record with 58 wins and 38 losses, three playoff appearances, and an AFC Championship appearance in 2005. Despite the misunderstanding that the Denver Broncos were big spenders in the league, they were ranked 19th in signing bonuses, 22nd in base salaries with many minimum salary players making the rosters, 19th for “in-season incentives” and 15th in “off-season incentives.”
Post-Broncos Career
In the 2008-2009 football season, Sundquist worked as an expert analyst and editorial commentator with Profootballtalk.com. Also, in early 2009, Sundquist was mentioned in several general manager searches across the National Football League, and it was reported that he was interested in interviewing with Cleveland Cleveland Browns for their open General Manager position.
Early life
Education
Sundquist graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in History with an emphasis in Soviet Area Studies (with Military Honors) and from Squadron Officers School at Maxwell AFB, Alabama in 1990. He continued his education with a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Colorado in 1992. He came to Colorado Springs after graduating Cum Laude from Spring Woods High School in Houston, Texas in 1980. There he lettered in football (team captain) & track while serving his Junior & Senior years as Class President. He was a Texas 17-4A All-District RB both his Junior and Senior seasons in football and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Graduate Assistant – United States Air Force Academy
Sundquist first became involved in Bobsledding at the Olympic level while stationed at the Air Force Academy as a Graduate Assistant in 1984. He served in that capacity over Fisher DeBerry’s inaugural season as head coach and the team would defeat former Buffalo Bills great & Hall of Famer Bruce Smith’s Virginia Tech Hokies in the 1984 Independence Bowl. Sundquist was asked to station at USAFA following a very successful four years as a member of the Air Force Academy’s Falcon football team. He lettered four years as a fullback, was named team captain in 1983, defeated Vanderbilt in the 1982 Hall of Fame Bowl and went on to defeat Ole Miss in the 1983 Independence Bowl. His senior season the Falcons went 10-2 and were ranked 13th nationally in both the AP and UPI polls.
Air Force Intelligence Officer – Berlin, Germany
DeBerry first approached Sundquist about returning to his alma mater while touring Air Force bases throughout Europe. Here Sundquist was stationed at Tempelhof Air Force Base, Berlin, Germany. He was assigned to the 6912th Electron ic Security Group as a Signals Intelligence Officer and spent nearly three years as Flight Commander (supervising 45 Air For ce personnel) and Assistant Operations/Training Officer (’85-’88). At the age of 23 he joined the 6912th overseeing a group of highly skilled and specialized analysts, some with more than 20 years of experience. This would include Czech, German, Polish and Russian linguists, along with “ELINT” analysts and personnel tasked with reading various radar signatures, reporting highly perishable defense information to Theater Tactical Commanders and the National Security Agency (NSA), as well as advisor y support to U.S. air operations. Sundquist would often brief General Officers and State Department Officials regarding flight ope rations and was responsible for the management of $35 million in equipment.
While serving in Germany Sundquist was a member of the United States National Bobsled Team and raced in numerous World Cup events from 1985 to 1988 and in the 1988 Olympic Trials. His participation was supported by the Armed Forces Sports Program and he would finish just out of the final for an Olympic berth after crashing in a preliminary run during the trials in Winterberg, Germany.
Coach – United States Air Force Academy
Sundquist came to Denver having served as the Head Coach of the Air Force Academy’s Preparatory School for two years (’90-’91). He planned and directed this Junior College level program, supervising a coaching staff of 10 and 80 members of the football team. He was responsible for recruiting prospective USAFA Prep cadet candidate players and also assist
ed in the varsity football recruiting process. This included one on one interviews and on-campus orientation visits. His teams finished 14-6 over two seasons and USAFA Prep won the Colorado Conference Championship at 9-1 his first season.
USAFA Head Coach Fisher DeBerry promoted Sundquist to the Head Coach position after three seasons as an Assistant Offensive Line coach on the varsity staff and junior varsity Offensive Coordinator. Here he was responsible for the recruitment of the Midwestern United States and coordinated all video operations, supervising the acquisition and implementation of computerized video editing systems. USAFA would go to back-to-back Liberty Bowls in ‘89 & ‘90. While at the Academy Sundquist conceived and implemented the USAFA “Scarf Program” linking Air Force Bases worldwide in sponsorship of USAFA football players and the “Bolt” award presented to the top scout team players on a weekly basis. Both programs are still in existence and now over 20 years old.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Sundquist
Timeline – Professional
Director of Player Personnel – Omaha Nighthawks Football Club (2010)
United Football League, Inaugural Season (Omaha, NE)
College Football Saturday; The Mtn. – Gameday TV Studio Analyst (2010)
General Manager – Denver Broncos Football Club (2002-2008)
2005 – AFC Championship, AFC Divisional Champions, AFC West Champions
2004 – AFC Divisional Wildcard
2003 – AFC Divisional Wildcard
Director of College Scouting – Denver Broncos Football Club (1995 – 2002)
2000 – AFC Divisional Wildcard
1998 – Super Bowl Champions, AFC Champions, AFC Divisional Champions, AFC West Champions
1997 – Super Bowl Champions, AFC Champions, AFC Wildcard
1996 – AFC Divisional Participant, AFC West Champions
Pro Scout/Player Personnel – Denver Broncos Football Club (1993-1995)
1993 – AFC Divisional Wildcard Participant
Player Personnel Assistant – Denver Broncos Football Club (1992-1993)
Head Coach – United States Air Force Academy Prep School (1990-1992)
1990 – Colorado Football Conference Champions
Assistant Football Coach – United States Air Force Academy (1988-1990)
1990 – Liberty Bowl Champions, Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy
1989 – Liberty Bowl Participant, Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy
6912th Electronic Security Group, Berlin, Germany (1986-1988)
Captain, USAF Intelligence, Flight Commander (TOP SECRECT SCI Clearance)
Assistant Director of Operations, Training Officer (TOP SECRECT SCI Clearance)
Graduate Assistant – United States Air Force Academy (1984-1985)
1984 – Independence Bowl Champions
Timeline – Education
Master of Public Administration 1992 – University of Colorado
USAF Squadron Officer’s School 1990 – Maxwell AFB, Alabama
USAF Signals Intelligence School 1985 – Lowry AFB & Goodfellow AFB
BS, History (Soviet Studies) *Military honors 1984 – USAF Academy
Air Force Survival School (S.E.R.E.) 1981 – US Air Force Academy
High School Diploma – Cum Laude 1980 – Spring Woods Senior High, Houston, TX
Other Achievements
Board of Directors – National Football Scouting, Inc. 2005-2007
Search Committee – National Football Scouting, Inc. 2006
Executive Committee – National Football Scouting, Inc. 1995-2005
Selection Committee – National Invitational Camp, Inc. 1995-2007
NFLEL Advisory Committee – National Football League 2002-2006
Underclassman Advisory Committee – National Football League 2002-2006
USAFA Athletic Foundation – Board of Directors 2009-2010
Falcon Football Pride Club – Advisory Board 2007-2010
Abila Security & Investigations (ASI Sports) – Consultant 2009
ProFootballTalk.com – Feature Writer 2008
WSCR – 670 “The Score”, Chicago, IL – The Ted Sundquist Show 2008
Sports USA Network – NFL Insider 2008
Officer of the Quarter, Captain – United States Air Force Academy 1992
United States National Bobsled Team, US Olympic Trials 1985-1988
Team Captain, Football – United States Air Force Academy 1983
Independence Bowl Champions – United States Air Force Academy 1983
Hall of Fame Bowl Champions – United States Air Force Academy 1982
There are only three individuals who have served as GM (or top exec) of the Denver Broncos for over 5 yrs.
Name Title Years Record Win %
John Beake General Manager 1984-98 (15 yrs) 152-86-1 .636
Ted Sundquist General Manager 2002-07 (6 yrs) 58-38 .604 (T-5th in NFL)
Fred Gehrke Dir Player Personnel 1965-66 (2 yrs) 8-20
General Manager 1977-80 (4 yrs) 40-22 .533 (Combined 48-42)
Tied club record for consecutive winning seasons at five (2002-06) & consecutive playoff appearances at three (2003-05) as GM.
Four of top six seasons in winning % and four of top five regular season wins in Club history as GM or College Scouting Director. 8 playoff appearances, Super Bowl XXXII & XXXIII Champions, 2005 AFC Championship
Never a losing AFC West divisional record as GM.
*Sundquist served as Director of College Scouting from 1996-2001.
