A Look at the Denver Broncos 2015 Coaching Staff
By Joe Morrone
Jan 20, 2015; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak speaks to the media at the Broncos training facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The coaching staff for the Denver Broncos is now complete, minus a few lower lever assistants that will probably be added. Here’s a look at the staff that will lead the Broncos in 2015 and hopefully beyond.
Gary Kubiak-Head Coach- Kubiak returns to the Broncos for a third stint, this time as their head coach. This will be his second head coaching job and the league is filled with coaches who were more successful in that second job; including the two coaches in the Super Bowl. It certainly feels like the right match at the right time.
Rick Dennison-Offensive Coordinator- Dennison also returns to the Broncos and will assist Kubiak in installing and running the offense. Kubiak will call the plays on game day, but Dennison will be primarily responsible for putting in the game plan each week.
Wade Phillips-Defensive Coordinator- The reunion continues as Phillips returns to the Mile High City as well. The days of the Broncos playing passive defense are over with Phillips in town. He cut his teeth under Buddy Ryan and believes in getting constant pressure on the quarterback. Maybe he wasn’t a great head coach, but Phillips is a great defensive coordinator. Six of the last seven defenses led by Phillips have finished in the top ten.
Joe DeCamillis-Special Teams Coordinator- Don’t let the ranking of the Chicago Bears last season fool you, DeCamillis is a well-respected special teams coach. Last season had more to do with the Bears lack of talent and depth than it did the coaching of DeCamillis. The Broncos were weak on special teams in 2014, and DeCamillis should improve that.
Greg Knapp-Quarterbacks- Knapp remains on the staff and will provide some comfort for Peyton Manning, should he return. Knapp will help both the coaches and the quarterbacks as the new offense is installed.
Eric Studesville-Running Backs- Studesville will now work for his third head coach with the Broncos, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Studesville is one of the best at his position and had a big role in the development of CJ Anderson.
Clancy Barone-Offensive Line- He moves over from tight-ends to coach the offensive line, something Barone has done before. He is well versed in the zone blocking schemes of a Kubiak offense, and will be a valuable tool in getting it installed.
Brian Pariani-Tight-ends- Pariani also comes with Kubiak from the Baltimore Ravens to the Broncos and is considered one of the better tight-end coaches in the league. In addition, Pariani has also coached in Denver before and understands the expectations.
Tyke Tolbert-Wide Receivers- Tolbert is another hold over from the previous staff and is an up and coming coach in the NFL. He helped develop Demaryius Thomas into one of the best receivers in football, and will be counted on this offseason to get Cody Latimer ready for a much bigger role in 2015.
Bill Kollar-Defensive Line- Outside of Kubiak, the hiring of Kollar may be the most exciting hire to the staff. Almost every NFL insider considers him the best in the business and he has had success everywhere he’s been. Kollar is a master at taking good players and making them great, and taking great players and making them even better. Fans should expect big improvements from both Derek Wolfe and Sylvester Williams next season. Malik Jackson had a breakout season in 2014, and may turn into a star under Kollar. He also is walking billboard for that “Kicking and screaming” attitude that John Elway wants. Don’t believe me, then just ask the bear that Kollar beat up. Yes, I’m serious. Intense does not begin to describe this guy.
Reggie Herring-Linebackers- Like Kollar, Herring brings a great deal of intensity to the Broncos defense. He and Kollar have both worked under Phillips and understand how to put pressure on an offense. The Broncos have a great deal of talent at the linebacker spot, and Herring will get the most out of all of them.
Joe Woods-Secondary- Woods is a highly experienced secondary coach who inherits a secondary filled with talent.
Luke Richesson-Strength and Conditioning- Richesson was hand-picked by Elway three years ago to revamp how the Broncos approach conditioning, and he’s done exactly that. It was an easy decision for Kubiak to keep Richesson.
Kubiak has put together an extremely strong staff and a staff that understands what the Broncos mean to this region. The staff also features coaches who will embody what Elway is looking for, “kicking and screaming.”