November 13th 2024.
The Denver Broncos have announced that assistant head coach Mike Westhoff will be stepping down from his position. Westhoff has been a crucial part of the team's success on special teams and his departure is due to a potential health concern that has recently come up. The 76-year-old coach had some issues with his vision last week and after undergoing some testing, he has made the difficult decision to resign.
In a statement provided by the team, Westhoff expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a first-class organization and wished the Broncos all the best in the future. He also acknowledged that this experience has been a wake-up call and has reminded him of the importance of putting his health first. The Broncos have been heading in the right direction with a strong foundation and a winning culture, and Westhoff is confident that they will continue to thrive under the leadership of head coach Sean Payton.
Westhoff, who previously served as the special teams coordinator for the New Orleans Saints and New York Jets, came out of retirement in 2023 to join Payton's coaching staff. Alongside coordinator Ben Kotwica, he has helped the Broncos achieve one of the top special teams units in the league. Last season, Denver ranked first in punt return average, second in punt return average against, eighth in kickoff return average, and ninth in kickoff return average against. And even through 10 games in 2024, the Broncos are still performing well, currently ranking seventh in punt return average and 12th in kick return average.
One of the areas where Westhoff has made a significant impact is in the team's ability to pin their opponents deep in their own territory. So far this season, the Broncos have had 21 punts land inside the 20-yard line, with four of them being placed at the goal line. This strategic advantage has played a key role in the team's success and will surely be missed with Westhoff's departure.
Westhoff first worked with Payton when he joined the Saints coaching staff in the middle of the 2017 season. During his two seasons with New Orleans, Westhoff helped make the Saints one of the best in the league in terms of fewest punt return yards allowed, as well as boasting a high kickoff return average and field goal percentage. Payton has nothing but praise for Westhoff, calling him a fantastic teacher and even suggesting that if there was a Hall of Fame for special teams coaches, Westhoff would be at the top of the list.
For fans who want to stay updated on all things Broncos, be sure to sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all the latest NFL analysis. This team is on the rise and with the strong foundation that Westhoff helped build, there's no doubt that they will continue to make strides towards success.
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