The Denver Broncos named Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph as their new head coach yesterday.
By John Sarianides
O.K kiddos, I am not messing around. Here are three reasons why I like the Vance Joseph hire for the Broncos and three reasons why I don’t like the hire.
3 Positives
1.Has Connections to the Organization: Joseph has crazy connections to the Broncos organization going all the way back to his days as a player at the University of Colorado. That is important because he won’t have to sell himself to the organization now that he’s been hired. They already know what kind of person and coach he is.
Joseph coached with Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips in Houston. He was Adam Gase’s defensive coordinator this past season in Miami and he played at Colorado with Director of Player Personnel Matt Russell. There are other connections as well but as you can see, there is a lot of familiarity with Joseph.
2. Veterans Will Play For Him: Veterans in Houston, Cincinnati and Miami loved playing for Joseph. He is honest, detailed and a tremendous communicator. He inherits a veteran team that knows how to win. His ability to connect with them and coach them will be key to his success. Being a former player in the league also helps Joseph because he can relate to what the players are dealing with.
3. Elway Is a Fan: John Elway has to like you if you want to make it in the Denver Broncos organization. Elway raved about Joseph after interviewing him two years ago. He was fully prepared to offer him the job but Gary Kubiak became available and was a better fit at the time for a veteran team. People around the league believed that Elway would come back to Joseph after Kubiak retired and he did.
3 Negatives
1.Not an Offensive Guy: I think the Broncos needed an offensive guy. That is why I thought Kyle Shanahan was a good fit. I understand that the last name concerned some people and whether or not Kyle could live up to his father’s legacy but he is a terrific offensive coach. Shanahan would have helped further the development of Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch.
Shanahan would have also kept Wade Phillips which would have provided continuity on the defensive side of the ball.
2. Limited Experience: Joseph doesn’t exactly have a great resume. I know what people will say. Neither did Mike Tomlin or Ben McAdoo. I get that, but if I am the Broncos, I am looking for a guy with experience who can guide a veteran team back to the Super Bowl.
I am not saying that Joseph can’t do that but he only has one year of coordinating experience in the NFL. That’s not a lot of experience in my opinion.
3. He Probably Won’t Retain Wade Phillips: I think Joseph would be making a mistake if he didn’t retain Wade Phillips and the defensive staff. Mike Tomlin retained Dick LeBeau when he took over in Pittsburgh. It only makes sense.
Phillips coordinated one of the most dominate defenses in league history last season and the Broncos rode that defense to a Super Bowl. Joseph would be a fool not to retain Phillips. If I were John Elway, I would border line mandate that Phillips has to stay and sign him to a new contract.