The Denver Broncos on Monday hired Roman Phifer as assistant coach- linebackers. Phifer, a 15-year NFL veteran and three-time Super Bowl champion, is starting his first coaching assignment after retiring from the NFL in 2005. He will assist Don Martindale in coaching the linebackers.
Phifer, 40, was a second-round draft pick (31st overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1991 NFL Draft. He played eight seasons for the Rams, leading the team in tackles during the 1993, 1995 and 1996 campaigns, and was named a Pro Bowl alternate in 1995. He played for the New York Jets from 1999-2000 and totaled 95 tackles, 8.5 sacks and four forced fumbles during that span.
He is best known for his contributions as a linebacker on three Super Bowl-winning teams with the New England Patriots where he played from 2001-04. In his four seasons with the Patriots he recorded 384 tackles-second only to LB Ted Bruschi during that span-and helped New England win Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX. Phifer retired from football after an injury-shortened stint with the New York Giants in 2005.
In his career he played in 212 games and recorded 1,296 tackles (923 solo), 29 sacks and 11 interceptions.
Roman Phifer was born March 5, 1968, in Plattsburgh, N.Y. He attended South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, N.C., where he lettered three years in football and basketball, earning all-county and Charlotte Post Athlete of the Year honors as a senior. Phifer and his wife, Linda, have two sons, Angelo and Jordan, and a daughter, Milan.
In addition to Phifer's hiring, the team has retained Keith Burns as coaching assistant-special teams, completing Head Coach Josh McDaniels' staff for the 2009 season. Burns, a 13-year NFL veteran who spent 11 seasons of his career with Denver, worked with the Broncos' special teams the past two seasons