Broncos’ special teams coach resigns

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos’ special teams’ unit suffered a second major blow in a four-day span Wednesday as their highly regarded coaching assistant Mike Westhoff resigned for medical reasons.

A 46-year football coach, including 33 in the NFL and the past two with the Broncos, Westhoff is considered one of the league’s best-ever special coordinators.

Officially a Broncos’ assistant head coach to Sean Payton, Westhoff began experiencing a vision-related eye issue last week. After the Broncos had what would have been a short, game-winning field goal attempt blocked on the game’s final play to lose, 16-14 Sunday to Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium, Westhoff’s eye symptoms returned during the plane ride home.

Following an MRI Monday and consultations with physicians and Payton, Westhoff, who is two months shy of his 77thbirthday, decided to step down from coaching and return to his Fort Myers, Fla. home, where he is an avid catch-and-release shark fisherman. 

In a statement through the club, Westhoff said: “It’s not easy to make this decision, but this was a wake-up call that I needed to put my health first. This team is very much headed in the right direction with a strong foundation and a winning culture. I’m grateful to Sean for giving me the opportunity to contribute to a first-class organization and wish the Broncos the very best.”

Westhoff had retired twice before as an NFL special teams coordinator/consultant. The first time was after the 2012 season with the New York Jets. He was out of coaching five years when Payton lured him to New Orleans in mid-November 2017 to help fix the Saints’ special teams.

Westhoff stayed through the 2018 season, then retired again for another five seasons when Payton got the Broncos’ head coaching job and again brought his trusted assistant back to help oversee the Denver special teams in 2023.

Westhoff only gave Payton a one-year commitment to in Denver but after Broncos’ special teams improved from the 25th in special teams in 2022 to No. 7 in 2023, and with the league installing a vastly different kickoff play for the 2024 season, Westhoff decided to return for one more season.

“I was getting ready to go home and Sean said, ‘Mike we don’t want you to go,’’’ Westhoff said in a sit-down interview with 9NEWS in June. “He said, ‘Stay one more year. Help us one more time.’’’

The Broncos’ special teams units will continue to be led by coordinator Ben Kotwica and assistant coach Chris Banjo but Westhoff’s expertise will no longer be available, at least not in person at Broncos Park. Their unit is under heavy criticism this week after Broncos kicker Wil Lutz had his 35-yard field goal blocked by Kansas City’s Leo Chenal as time expired.

Instead of a 17-16 upset win, the Broncos fell to 5-5 with the loss. They play the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday afternoon at Empower Field at Mile High.

Westhoff is the second Broncos’ assistant coach who has taken leave from the job this season for medical reasons. Last month, pass-game coordinator Zach Grossi took time off to deal with cancer treatments. Grossi is said to be progressing well.