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According to 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis, the Broncos have given Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods permission to speak with other teams after they hired Vc Fangio as their Head Coach.
With Vic Fangio the new head coach, Broncos defensive coordinator Joe Woods has received permission to interview with other teams. At least 3 teams are interested in DB coach/possible D-coordinator. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) January 9, 2019
Per Klis, Woods is getting interest from at least three teams in him being their Defensive Backs coach and potentially a Defensive Coordinator gig as well.
This is an expected move after the Broncos hired Fangio who will essentially be the head guy on that side of the ball going forward.
Woods has served as the Broncos Defensive Coordinator the past two seasons after replacing Wade Phillips. He had some success in this role for the Broncos, but there plenty of times where the unit struggled and just looked unprepared on the field. Missed assignments, players calling out Woods publicly and reportedly internally, and just inconsistent play from the Broncos defense. It wasn’t all bad, but definitely not what the Broncos hoped from Woods.
There is some talk that Woods be welcomed back if he took a demotion back to Defensive Backs coach but you rarely see that happen.
One potential hire for new #Broncos coach Vic Fangio is Bears secondary coach Ed Donatell, whose contract is up. (Was Broncos DB coach in 2010).
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) January 9, 2019
While Fangio figures to be the head defensive guy for the Broncos, he figures to add a Defensive Coordinator by title to his staff. The name to reportedly to keep an eye on is Chicago Bears DB’s coach, Ed Donatell.
Donatell has been with Fangio since back to his 49ers days so it makes sense he will follow him to Denver. Also, his contract is up with the Bears so they do not have to ask permission or hope the Bears do not just promote Donatell to Defensive Coordinator.
The Bears secondary took a big step forward this past year after being coached by Fangio and Donatell so if this does go down, it could be a big move for the Broncos secondary that struggled some in 2018.