Broncos assistant head coach Mike Westhoff has resigned from his role as he monitors “a potential health issue,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The 76-year-old coach experienced vision problems last week and underwent testing, including an MRI. Westhoff made his decision to step away after consulting with doctors and head coach Sean Payton.
“It’s not easy to make this decision, but this was a wake-up call that I needed to put my health first,” Westhoff said. “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.”
According to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver, Payton was naturally hoping that Westhoff would stick around for the stretch run of the season. With the coach turning 77 later this month, Westhoff decided to prioritize his health and head home to Florida.
Westhoff has earned a reputation as one of the league’s most respected ST minds. He spent more than a decade as the special teams coordinator with the Dolphins, and he had another decade-plus stint with the Jets in the early 2000s. He retired following the 2012 campaign but returned to join Payton in New Orleans for most of the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Following another retirement, Westhoff reunited with Payton in Denver, where he’s spent the past season-plus as the assistant head coach and ST coordinator.
Westhoff is the second Broncos coach to step away from their role in 2024. Pass-game coordinator Zach Grossi stepped away last month as he seeks treatment for cancer. Klis notes that Grossi has been in close communication with the team while undergoing treatment.
Good luck coach.
Oh WOW, I hope only the best for him and his family. Hope that the issue is something that can be resolved.
He was interviewed on Sirius NFL Network this past offseason. He was breaking down the new kickoff rules and went full detail of how they were attacking the new rules. He fully explained that the staff believed they had the first five yards thought out and were thinking that O-Lineman would be used as blockers to best create holes. A clear lesson for what “Attention to Detail” really means.
Go easy on the “attention to details” superlatives less than a week after one of the most egregious examples of one team’s ST unit (the Chiefs) spotting an obvious flaw in the Broncos’ FG unit. The lack of attention to detail – there are several examples circulating on social media of that same player (Forsyth) getting trucked by rushers multiple times this year on FG attempts by the Broncos. The Chiefs exploited it and it cost the Broncos a game.
As a Broncos fan, I’m having a hard time remembering any specific ST play this year that resulted in an obvious advantage for the team.
Good culture guy and one of Sean’s bff. I wish him the best of luck.
He lasted through three different head coaches with the Jets (Herman Edwards, Eric Mangini & Rex Ryan), so he was clearly respected enough that whoever they brought in had to keep him. Hopefully everybody learned enough from him to keep things going smoothly. If they need somebody experienced in his role, maybe look up Bobby April & see if he’s interested in being a “substitute teacher”? He hasn’t worked since 2016, but he’s a two time Special Teams Coach of the Year.