Veteran NFL Coach Mike Westhoff Steps Down from Broncos Role Following Health Scare
In a significant development that has rippled through the NFL coaching community, Mike Westhoff, the respected assistant head coach of the Denver Broncos, has announced his immediate resignation from his position due to pressing health concerns. The 76-year-old coaching veteran made this difficult decision after experiencing vision-related issues last week.
The situation came to light when Westhoff began experiencing vision problems during the team’s return flight from Kansas City, where the Broncos had just faced the Chiefs. Following multiple medical consultations and tests, including an MRI on Monday, the seasoned coach decided to prioritize his health and return to his home in Florida.
“Making this decision was challenging, but it served as a reminder to prioritize my health,” Westhoff said in his announcement to NFL Network. As a cancer survivor who underwent multiple surgeries for femur cancer, his words held significant weight.
Westhoff’s departure marks the end of his second stint working alongside head coach Sean Payton, with whom he shared a successful professional relationship. Their partnership began in 2017 with the New Orleans Saints, where Westhoff served until 2018 before initially retiring. Payton brought him back to the NFL fold in 2023 when he took the helm of the Broncos.
The timing of Westhoff’s exit has sparked some speculation, coming shortly after a blocked field goal attempt that proved costly in the Broncos’ recent loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, team sources have firmly stated that his departure is purely health-related and would have occurred regardless of that game’s outcome.
Throughout his impressive 33-year NFL career, Westhoff has established himself as one of the league’s premier special teams architects. His journey in the NFL began with the Miami Dolphins in 1986, where he spent 15 productive years as their tight ends and special teams coach.
He then moved to the New York Jets, where he served as special teams coordinator from 2001 to 2012, leading a unit that scored an NFL-best 16 kickoff return touchdowns during his tenure.
In Denver, Westhoff worked closely with special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica and assistant coach Chris Banjo. Notably, Kotwica and Westhoff had previously collaborated on the Jets’ coaching staff from 2009 to 2012 under Rex Ryan’s leadership.
In his parting statement, Westhoff expressed gratitude to the Broncos organization, saying, “This team is heading 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.”
The Broncos’ special teams unit will continue under the guidance of Kotwica and Banjo, maintaining the systems and strategies that Westhoff helped implement. While the team moves forward, Westhoff’s legacy as one of the NFL’s most innovative special teams coaches remains intact, having influenced the game across four decades of professional football.
This development serves as a reminder of the importance of health and well-being in a profession known for its intense demands and pressure. As Westhoff takes this necessary step back to focus on his health, he leaves behind a rich coaching legacy that has significantly impacted the NFL’s approach to special teams play.