Broncos Announce New Coaching Staff Under Sean Payton
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The Denver Broncos took their time getting there, but on Saturday, the team's new coaching staff was announced under Sean Payton. Many of the Broncos' coaching hires had past ties to Payton from his time with the New Orleans Saints.
Let's take a look at the coaches the Broncos confirmed they've hired.
Offense
- Joe Lombardi | Offensive Coordinator
- John Morton | Pass Game Coordinator
- Keary Colbert | Wide Receivers
- Declan Doyle | Tight Ends
- Zach Strief | Offensive Line
Analysis: We knew Lombardi would be taking some 'coordinator-type role' and it turns out to be the big one. He'll serve as offensive coordinator, with Morton assisting as the pass-game coordinator.
Morton worked with Payton as his WRs coach back in New Orleans (2015-16). Lombardi and Morton will help coach, teach, organize, and game-plan the offense with Payton as the play-caller and primary impetus.
As a former NFL wideout, Colbert spent a year with the Mike Shanahan-era Broncos (2008). Colbert's last coaching stop was USC.
Strief is also a former player who helped the Saints win a Super Bowl. He takes over a Broncos O-line in a shambles, with possibly as many as three starter holes to fill up front.
Conspicuously absent from the Broncos' press release is a quarterbacks and running backs coach. Those seem to be the only positions left to be filled on offense.
Defense
- Vance Joseph | Defensive Coordinator
- Marcus Dixon | Defensive Line
- Greg Manusky | Inside Linebackers
- Michael Wilhoite | Outside Linebackers
- Christian Parker | Defensive Backs
Analysis: Joseph returns to the Mile High City, much to the chagrin of a large swath of Broncos fans. Time will tell what returns Joseph can provide defensively, but he has maintained a good reputation as a coordinator since his failed two-year stint as head coach in Denver.
Payton retained Dixon and Parker from last year's coaching staff. Both coaches out-kicked their coverage with the unique obstacles the 2022 season handed them.
It'll be interesting to see what production Manusky and Wilhoite can get out of the linebackers, and what the future holds for Baron Browning. Will Browning stay as an outside 'backer or move inside?
Special Teams
- Mike Westhoff | Assistant Head Coach
- Ben Kotwica | Special Teams Coordinator
- Chris Banjo | Assistant Special Teams
Analysis: While Kotwica is the coordinator, he'll have an overseer in Westhoff, a long-time Payton lieutenant with a big-name title in Denver. The Broncos haven't gotten much production from the third phase in recent years, so here's to hoping the combined veteran influence of Westhoff and Kotwica can turn the ship around.
Strength & Conditioning
- Dan Dalrymple | Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Korey Jones | Assistant Strength & Conditioning
Analysis: At long last, the Broncos finally overhauled their strength and conditioning program. Dalrymple, a decorated coach in the field, assumes the controls with Jones assisting.
Although it doesn't show up as a coaching hire, Payton also hired Beau Lowery — another past lieutenant — away from LSU, naming him Vice President of Player Health and Performance. With how badly the injury bug has ravaged the Broncos over the past four years, this new executive and coaching crew has nowhere to go but up.
Assistant to Head Coach
- Paul Kelly | Assistant to Head Coach
Analysis: Every head coach needs his gopher.
Bottom Line
This is an experienced, balanced coaching staff that Payton has assembled. It features many of the key coaches from the epoch of his tenure in New Orleans.
Payton is from Chicago, and like the Blues Brothers of old, he put the band back together. Now it's time to rock.
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