Wednesday evening the Denver Broncos agreed to terms with Wade Phillips to become the new defensive coordinator and also signed Joe Woods and Brian Pariani.
The three moves finalized the major coaching vacancies left since the hiring of Gary Kubiak on Jan. 19 and bring together a staff of several former Broncos.
Phillips was the head of the Broncos defense from 1989-1992 and then was the head coach during the 1993-1994 season. He has over 38 years of coaching experience, 31 of those as a defensive coordinator and has been successful as a coordinator wherever he has gone.
His most recent stop was defensive coordinator for Kubiak from 2011-2013 and did not coach this past year. He took over a struggling Houston Texans unit and made them into the second-best total defense in the league in 2011.
Outside of his two stints with Houston and now the Broncos he coached the New Orleans Saints, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Buffalo Bills, the Atlanta Falcons, the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys.
He has been a part of his famous father Bum Phillips’ 3-4 defensive scheme since his first job as a linebackers coach of the Houston Oilers in 1976. He will likely bring the same scheme and an amazing knowledge of the 3-4 defense to Denver. The team’s roster will not be hard to mold into a typical Phillips defense.
The Broncos also filled their tight end and defensive back coaching positions Wednesday.
As earlier reported Brian Pariani will become the tight ends coach as Clancy Barone shifts over to the offensive line. Pariani coached with Kubiak in Houston during his entire tenure as head coach and followed him to the Baltimore Ravens this past season. Prior to his time in Houston, Pariani coached Denver’s tight ends for 10 seasons (1995-2004). He will bring a reputation of tough, smart play to the position.
Lastly, Joe Woods will take over as the defensive backs coach and brings with him 23 years of experience, 11 as a defensive backs coach. He coached the Oakland Raiders (2014), the Minnesota Vikings (2006-2013) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004-05). He will take over arguably, the most talented unit on the Broncos.
With the hires Wednesday all of the major position coaches have been filled and some familiar faces are returning to the Broncos. Whether the reunion will be successful remains to be scene but know the staff can begin the tough takes of taking the team to “the next level.”
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