News
1/23/23
35 min read
2023 NFL Coaching Updates: Latest News, Rumors and Buzz
Saturday, Feb. 25
Broncos Pick Lombardi as OC
The Denver Broncos announced a series of coaching hires, headlined by the addition of Joe Lombardi as offensive coordinator. Lombardi, who was the offensive coordinator of the AFC West rival Los Angeles Chargers the past two seasons, spent 12 seasons on the New Orleans Saints staff of recently hired coach Sean Payton. Lombardi was an offensive assistant from 2007-08 and twice was quarterbacks coach for the Saints (2009-13; 2016-2020). In between, he was the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator for two seasons.
The Broncos also named Mike Westhoff as assistant head coach and Ben Kotwica as special teams coordinator. Westhoff has not coached in the NFL since 2018, when he was on Payton's Saints staff. Prior to that, he had been an assistant for 30 years. Kotwica is a former U.S. Army officer who has 15 seasons of coaching experience, including eight as a special teams coordinator.
Friday, Feb. 24
Chiefs Promote Nagy to OC
The Kansas City Chiefs are turning to a familiar face to replace the departed Eric Bieniemy, promoting senior offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy to offensive coordinator, per the team.
Nagy served as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator from 2016-2017 before being hired as the head coach of the Chicago Bears. He coached the Bears from 2018 through 2021 but was fired and returned to Kansas City in 2022.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Broncos Hire Joseph as DC, Webb as QB Coach
The Denver Broncos will hire a familiar face in Vance Joseph as their defensive coordinator, Fox Sports reported. Joseph was the head coach for the Broncos in 2017-18, going 11-21 in his two seasons before being fired.
He moved on to the Arizona Cardinals, where he was defensive coordinator for the past four seasons under Kliff Kingsbury.
During their search the Broncos also interviewed New England Patriots assistant coach Matt Patricia and ESPN analyst and former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan, among others.
The Broncos' 2022 defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was a candidate for the team's open head coaching position, but the team traded for Sean Payton. Shortly after Evero and the team parted ways, and Evero joined the Carolina Panthers' as their new defensive coordinator.
The Broncos also made an interesting move lower on the coaching staff, hiring Davis Webb as the team's new quarterbacks coach, ESPN reported. Webb was still a player as of last season, serving as the New York Giants' backup behind Daniel Jones at the position. His coaching debut will come working to turn around Russell Wilson, a player drafted five years earlier than Webb was.
Jaguars Have Passing Game Coordinator
The Jacksonville Jaguars hired passing game coordinator Nick Holz, the team announced.
Holz joins Jacksonville after spending the 2022 season as UNLV's offensive coordinator. Prior to his post at UNLV, Holz coached with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2012-21 in a variety of roles on the offensive side of the ball.
Cardinals Hire Two Coaches
The Arizona Cardinals will hire Minnesota Vikings assistant linebackers coach Sam Siefkes as their LBs coach, NFL Media reported.
Also, former Arizona State defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez will stay in the state and becoming the Cardinals’ outside linebacker coach, ESPN reported.
Wednesday, Feb. 22
Patricia Joins Big Names in Broncos' DC Search
The Denver Broncos have added another big name to their candidate pool for defensive coordinator, speaking with Matt Patricia about the open position Wednesday, NFL Media reported.
Patricia is currently in his second stint with the New England Patriots, having re-joined the team in 2021, this time working primarily on the offensive side of the ball. However, Patricia lost offensive play-calling duties following this season. In his first stint of over a decade with the team, he rose from a defensive assistant to the team's coordinator position under Bill Belichick.
Patricia parlayed his first stint with the Patriots into a three-year run as head coach of the Detroit Lions, during which time he went 13-29-1 before being dismissed during his final season there.
Other big names speaking with the Broncos for the open position are ESPN analyst and former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan and the team's former head coach Vance Joseph. The post was opened when the team and Ejiro Evero agreed to part ways earlier this offseason.
Joseph Interviews with Eagles
In their quest to replace new Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Philadelphia Eagles interviewed Vance Joseph for their open defensive coordinator job on Tuesday, NFL Media reported.
Joseph was the Broncos' coach for two seasons from 2017 to 2018 but has spent the last several as the Cardinals' defensive coordinator.
Browns Hire Ventrone Away From Colts
The Cleveland Browns moved quickly to fill an opening at special teams coordinator, hiring Bubba Ventrone away from the Indianapolis Colts Wednesday night, CBS Sports reported. Ventrone replaces Mike Priefer, who the team fired just one day earlier.
Ventrone has served as the Colts' special teams coordinator since 2018. He was among the candidates interviewed for the team's head coach vacancy, but was passed over for the position in favor of Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
Leonhard No Longer Candidate for Eagles DC Job
Former Wisconsin interim coach Jim Leonhard is no longer a candidate for the Philadelphia Eagles' vacant defensive coordinator position, ESPN reported.
Leonhard emerged as a potential option to replace Jonathan Gannon, who left to become the next coach of the Arizona Cardinals earlier in the week. However, Leonhard and Philadelphia have agreed the timing is not right for him to join the staff.
Ravens Hire Taggart As RB Coach, Shift Martin to QBs
The Baltimore Ravens announced they have hired former Florida State coach Willie Taggart as the team's new running backs coach.
Taggart is joining the staff of newly hired offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who previously held the same position at Georgia.
The team also said it will shift Tee Martin from wide receiver coach to quarterback coach. Martin recently interviewed for Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator job.
Chargers Conducting Defensive Coordinator Search
The Los Angeles Chargers interviewed Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington and University of Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk for their vacant defensive coordinator position, NFL Media reported.
The Chargers lost defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill to the Miami Dolphins, as he left to join Vic Fangio's defensive staff following the 2022 NFL season.
Covington, meanwhile, was also a candidate in Arizona until the Cardinals hired former Eagles assistant Nick Rallis to work as DC under his former boss Jonathan Gannon, Arizona's new head coach.
