Broncos Officially Announce 5 Coaching Hires

by John Bena on Jan 20, 2009 5:37 PM MST in 2009 Denver Broncos Re-Loading Season

Most of these have been talked about for days, but the official announcement has been made.

The Denver Broncos on Tuesday announced the hiring of five assistant coaches, including Mike McCoy as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach and Mike Priefer as special teams coordinator. The club also announced the hiring of Ed Donatell as secondary coach, Adam Gase as wide receivers coach, and Wayne Nunnely as defensive line coach.

McCoy, 36, joins Denver as its offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach after spending the previous nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers. McCoy started as an offensive assistant in 2000 before becoming the team's quarterbacks coach four weeks into the season. When Head Coach John Fox joined the team in 2002, McCoy served as the team's offensive assistant. He regained his role as quarterbacks coach from 2003-06 before becoming the team's passing-game coordinator for the last two seasons.

Priefer, 42, joins the Broncos as their special teams coordinator after spending three seasons as Kansas City's special teams coach. Priefer, the son of former NFL coach Chuck Priefer, entered the NFL coaching ranks as an assistant special teams coach with Jacksonville in 2002. He served as an assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants from 2003-05 before joining the Chiefs in 2006.

Donatell, 51, joins the Broncos for his second stint with the team, after coaching their secondary from 1995-99, including during the team's back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1997-98. He brings 18 years of NFL coaching experience, including stops with the New York Jets (1990-94), Denver (1995-99), Green Bay (2000-03), Atlanta (2004-06) and the Jets (2007) before working as defensive coordinator at the University of Washington in 2008.

Gase comes to the Broncos as the team's wide receivers coach after spending last season as an offensive assistant in San Francisco. Prior to his tenure with the 49ers, Gase spent six seasons with the Detroit Lions (2002-07). He joined the Lions in a scouting/coaching capacity under Steve Mariucci in 2002. Gase served as the team's offensive quality control coach in 2006 under Head Coach Rod Marinelli before coaching the team's quarterbacks in 2007.

Nunnely, 56, comes to the Broncos with 14 seasons of NFL experience, including the last 12 as San Diego's defensive line coach. Before his stint with the Chargers, Nunnely opened his NFL coaching career as the defensive line coach with the New Orleans Saints (1995-96).

There is also a report in the Oakland Tribune that Denver has signed former Raiders coach Don Martindale to become the Linebackers Coach for the Broncos. This little tidbit is somewhat interesting because Martindale's name had recently surfaced as the leading candidate to become, at the minimum, Raiders' DC, possibly even the Head Coach. 2 days later, Martindale takes what is in effect a lateral move with the Broncos. Things in Oakland really suck!

Some notes on the new coaches --

Coach NFL Exp. Position with Broncos

Ed Donatell 18 Secondary

Adam Gase 7 Wide Receivers

Mike McCoy 9 Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks

Wayne Nunnely 14 Defensive Line

Mike Priefer 8 Special Teams Coordinator

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Comments

3-4 D

If there were any doubts that we will not switch to 3-4 defense with the hiring of Nunnely we can pretty much put these doubts to rest. This hiring is the last nail in the coffin of the 4-3 D.

by BGBronco on Jan 20, 2009 6:50 PM MST reply actions

That was my first thought with getting Nunnely

My second was ’Haha!"

Welcome Aboard, Josh McDaniels!

by Colorado_Kitten on Jan 20, 2009 7:19 PM MST up reply actions

Sarcasm

Yeah me too, I came here to leave a sarcastic message like
‘If only McD would give us some hint about what defensive front he wants to run through these hirings…’
Guess I have to be quicker off the mark!

by mikebirty on Jan 21, 2009 2:00 AM MST up reply actions

I am impressed...

By these new hires. I hope these guys can have the defense serving up some Orange Crush instead of the free pink lemonade! All Ready!

by precisiontint on Jan 20, 2009 6:53 PM MST reply actions

looking better

I’m still not sure about Mike Nolan, but these are some nice hires. Bring on FA and the draft.

by midwestbronco on Jan 20, 2009 7:04 PM MST reply actions

Only question...

…is about McCoy. The Panthers have not been a very dominant team over the years – especially not offensively. He was the quarterback coach for a long time and I don’t think that there have been any ‘great’ quarterbacks in Carolina.

I understand we don’t have Bates but is McCoy the best we could find?

On another note, I do like a lot of the other picks, especially Nunnely and allegedly Martindale. There’s nothing like pillaging other teams in your division for personnel. Those two’s coaching record is nothing to slouch at either and am excited for what they can bring to the Broncos.

On another note (final one I swear), did anyone notice the ages of the coaches? There has been much to do about the age of McDaniels and what kind of experience he has. The best move that McDaniels can make is not too hire big name staff where there are ego problems and pissing contests; but to hire experienced personnel which is exactly what he did.

I know McDaniels didn’t go knocking on these guy’s doors but I willing to bet he had an awful lot to say about who he wanted. In the time when we really don’t know a lot about our coach or what he’s going to do – great moves and bravo.

There is no 'Ctrl' button on Chuck Norris's computer. Chuck Norris is always in control.
Chuck Norris destoryed the periodic table because he only recognizes the element of surprise.

by nickt84 on Jan 20, 2009 7:32 PM MST reply actions

Yeah, but what about Gase?

Wide Receivers Coach? He brings absolutelu zero experience as a Receivers Coach with a program that has had a winning season. I would of prefered a coach that had a winning record behind his coaching experience than one that never had a winning season.

"If Denver beats us, I'll walk back to Detroit" - Alex Karras

by Denver Diehard on Jan 20, 2009 7:38 PM MST up reply actions

And he was at the Lions, what the hell did he learn there, how to waste a 1st round pick on a WR

I wish we had kept the current WR coach (Fitch?), that guy seemed to get the best out of Marshall, Royal, Stokely, Jackson, and the bunch.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman

by Broncoman on Jan 20, 2009 10:30 PM MST up reply actions

Did he really get the best our of them?

Stokely and Royal are the types to get the best out of themselves. Marshall is the one that needs help, and despite catching a hundred balls, I thought he had some noticeable issues with fundamentals. He dropped a lot of balls, though I’ll let that slide because he may not have been fully recovered from his arm injury. Two other things really bugged me though. First, he seemed to run an awful lot of incorrect routes leading to picks and incompletions. Second, I think he uses his athleticism poorly at times. He runs backwards on half his catches when he could pick up five more yards just by letting his momentum take him forward. He needs to learn situations and when to go for the big play versus when to take the friggin’ 1st down. Also, with his height and leaping ability he should be much better at making big plays down the sideline. It doesn’t seem that he’s learned to go back and up for the ball. He left a bunch of big plays on the field that I can’t help feeling other elite receivers would have made. Maybe some new blood can help him with this stuff.

Don’t get me wrong, I really like Brandon Marshall. He’s clearly the most impressive receiver the Broncos have ever had in terms of raw potential. I just think he’s not gotten anywhere near where he could, and considering some of his achievements already, where he could get to is near the top of the all-timers list.

As far as judging folks from the Lions, I’m willing to give coaches and players there the benefit of the doubt just ’cause it seems like the sort of organization that can take smart and talented men and turn them into blithering idiots through a decades long culture of not caring about winning.

by jaffe28 on Jan 21, 2009 9:11 AM MST up reply actions

couldn't agree more..

I believe the reason the Broncos didn’t keep Fisch is because of the comfort level Marshall had with him.. Marshall’s not as good as he thinks he is and as Jaffe28 has pointed out above, needs some work on route running. The same with Bates I think – Jay’s not as good as he thinks he is and he needs someone (McD) to take him to the next level. I applaud most of these moves and have a little concern about McCoy too.. If Carolina had a better passing game and quarterback, they would have won it all a few times during his time there?

by quarterhorse on Jan 21, 2009 9:53 AM MST up reply actions

I'm okay with McCoy

given the fact that Jake Delhomme isn’t what you would call an elite QB but it appears McCoy got quite a bit out of him this season (until the playoff game against the Cards).

Imagine what he’ll be able to do with Jay.

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"tough times don't last, tough people do" - Mike "The Mastermind" Shanahan

by DesertBroncoFan on Jan 21, 2009 11:04 AM MST up reply actions

I agree Delhomme

has been a franchise QB for the Panthers when on most teams he would have been a journymen QB who may not have started very often, I think of Kerry Collins, Jeff Garcia, good QB’s but not the type you lay your whole franchise on year after year. McCoy was able to make him that guy though, what can he do to up Cutler’s game?

"If you don't know where your going you might find yourself somplace else."

by BroncoJoe87 on Jan 23, 2009 2:44 PM MST up reply actions

Completely Agree about Marshall

There were too many times where I was yelling at the TV telling him to run forward, not backward not to mention the alligator arms that he got sometimes go across the middle. The worst was in Cleveland (I believe) when he short armed a catch because he heard footsteps and the safety actually bounced off BMarsh!

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"tough times don't last, tough people do" - Mike "The Mastermind" Shanahan

by DesertBroncoFan on Jan 21, 2009 11:07 AM MST up reply actions

I just don't see it,

Yes Marshall could get better, but I think Fitch helped develop Marshall and Royal very quickly, and you can fault Marshll for poor runnig choices, but he stopped doing that so much after the middle of the season, so he did learn.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman

by Broncoman on Jan 21, 2009 2:22 PM MST up reply actions

+1

I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.

by sadaraine on Jan 21, 2009 3:07 PM MST up reply actions

About McCoy

He put up a servicable offense with a journeyman QB that is hard to do

by robbo650 on Jan 20, 2009 10:53 PM MST up reply actions

he did do that

I’m just wondering what he brings to the table, we’ll see..

by quarterhorse on Jan 21, 2009 9:57 AM MST up reply actions

wow.

that’s 5, possibly 6 new coaches, in addition to mac and nolan. this is a new regime. the past is gone, expect some serious changes in how this team looks. hopefully for the defense, it will look like it’s there. this should be a very interesting year. think we’ll see a roster overhaul on d, if we are definitely going with the 3-4, now? hmmm… the new coaches all seem to be solid and experienced, as noted above. but i think even the offseason program is changing now, amongst everything else. ’tis a new day in broncoland it appears

taste my blintzkrieg!
2009-year of the defense.

by davecheffy on Jan 20, 2009 7:38 PM MST reply actions

Is it just me or are almost all of these guys coming off failure?

Gase – QB coach of the worst team in NFL history. Winless last year.
Donatell – DC of the worst team in college football. Winless last year.
Priefer – Coach of one of the worst special teams units statistically. 2 wins last year.
McCoy – Passing-coordinator who is in charge of game plans, who’s team just came off arguably the worst QB performances ever.

Why is everyone seemingly so pyched about these hires? What am I missing here?

by SethGrandpa on Jan 20, 2009 7:40 PM MST reply actions

Gase is coming from the 49ers not the lions

and you cant blame McCoy for Delhommes play in that game. Its not like he was telling Delhomme to throw Ints

by purplesocks on Jan 20, 2009 8:06 PM MST up reply actions

My bad on Gase...but it's not like the 49ers offense was any good...

And as for McCoy…if you look at that gameplan it set up Jake for failure. Sure not the that degree, but why would you stop running and forcing the ball to Steve Smith, the two things that got you there?

by SethGrandpa on Jan 20, 2009 9:25 PM MST up reply actions

I am with you on Gase, why didn't we keep fitch

I am also not sold on Priefer, I would rather have Dennison pulling double duty as line and ST coach.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman

by Broncoman on Jan 20, 2009 10:32 PM MST up reply actions

priefer scares me.

I definitely don’t think he is an upgrade over O’brien, but hopefully O’brien’s situation was dysfunctional enough that even a lateral move ability wise would be an improvement, because it is occuring within a good staff.

Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.

by Jeremy Bolander on Jan 20, 2009 11:43 PM MST up reply actions

Actually, Preifer did some good things....

And was mainly responsible for the returning skills of the KR’s, and the mechanics of Colquitt and Bath.
Bath, I beleive was a rookie, and had a better season than Prater. Their returners were more threatening than ours, yes, even Eddie Royal, who was stuck behind a miserable scheme.

Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.

by boydy2669 on Jan 21, 2009 7:00 AM MST up reply actions

Coaching is maximizing whatever potential you get

Who do you prefer to coach – Delhomme or Cutler? Given the management, the 49ers or Denver? A college program with no recruiting or – Ok, we need a good draft, but you get the point. These are men with a lot of skill and experience, coming into one of the best organizations in pro sports.

In Goodman We Trust

by Doc Bear on Jan 20, 2009 9:18 PM MST reply actions

+1

by robbo650 on Jan 20, 2009 10:56 PM MST up reply actions

+2 except Gase, I thought Fitch did a great job. He may have had other plans.

Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!

by monodono on Jan 21, 2009 12:52 AM MST up reply actions

I'd like to know

a little more about Don Martindale, and if He’s leaveing Oakland do ya think they will get better?

Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!

by monodono on Jan 21, 2009 1:00 AM MST reply actions

So far

I’ve got,

Josh McDaniels HC
Mike McCoy OC/QB
Rick Dennison OLC
Bobby Turner RBC
Adam Gase RecC
Mike Nolan DC
Wayne Nunnely DLC
Don Martindale LBC ?
Ed Donatell SecC
Mike Priefer STC
Rich Tuten Str. & Con.
John Lynch YOGA C …. HA! Rich need’s some help.

Tactics without Strategy is the noise you hear before Defeat!

by monodono on Jan 21, 2009 1:10 AM MST reply actions

Is it a coincidence that we've hired one coach from each AFC West opponent?

by Leukadian on Jan 21, 2009 9:52 AM MST reply actions

Change is Good!

Even as we ponder the potential of coaches we’ve never known about I can’t but help to be excited for something new. The 3-4 will serve us very well and even if we don’t get all the guys we need (Chris Canty, Channing Crowder, BJ Raji at #12) this year, atleast there’s hope. The last three years – and even that 34 point embarrassment in the AFC Championship- have been painful. Maddening even. Even if half the coaches we hired rise to the surface this year I’d call it a success. I think Martindale could prove to be an excellent hire; Despite the ridiculousness that is the Raiders they had a special linebacking group. I get equally excited thinking about all the has beens and third stringers we could dump or trade really soon now. Here we go Horsemen.

by quarterhorse on Jan 21, 2009 10:12 AM MST reply actions

Change is good?

Obama’s been President for 29 hours and 13 minutes and I’m still poor! What gives!? Also, the rainbow I rode my unicorn on to school today had a pothole in it! A pothole!! I mean, c’mon! I’m thinking about revoking my endorsement of him. lol.

私の署名はちょうど任意風変わりな言葉および日本の特性である。
-My signature exactly is optional queer word and the Japanese quality.

by papigrande on Jan 21, 2009 4:13 PM MST up reply actions