Dennison New OC., Dinger New Assistant Head Coach

[bronco militia]

Broncos hire Heimerdinger, promote Dennison
Jan. 30, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports




DENVER -- The Denver Broncos hired Mike Heimerdinger to replace Gary Kubiak on their coaching staff Monday.

Coach Mike Shanahan hired Heimerdinger as assistant head coach and promoted offensive line coach Rick Dennison to offensive coordinator.

The moves come after Kubiak was hired last week as coach of the Houston Texans.

Dennison is a former Broncos linebacker who appeared in three Super Bowls as a player and served as the team's offensive line coach for the past five seasons. He has been on Denver's coaching staff since 1995.

Heimerdinger, who coached the Broncos' wide receivers in 1995-99, spent the past six years as an offensive coordinator with the New York Jets (2005) and Tennessee Titans (2000-04).

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9197022

[BigPlayShay]

Official story of DB.com:

http://www.denverbroncos.com/page.ph...4&storyID=5273

A Promotion and a Return
Dennison Moves Up to Coordinator; Heimerdinger to Be Assistant Head Coach

*** UPDATED 10:05 A.M. MST ***

By Andrew Mason
DenverBroncos.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Four days after Gary Kubiak's departure, the Broncos filled in the gaps on their offensive staff by promoting offensive line coach Rick Dennison to offensive coordinator and announcing the return of Mike Heimerdinger to the club as assistant head coach.

Both Dennison and Heimerdinger were a part of Head Coach Mike Shanahan's original staff when he took the Broncos' reins in 1995. Dennison stayed with the team, working his way from offensive assistant to special-teams coach to the offensive line before garnering his new position, while Heimerdinger departed in 2000 to become the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator, moving on to the same position with the New York Jets last season.

The decision to promote Dennison to Kubiak's old slot brought a swift conclusion to a process that Shanahan believed could take an indeterminate amount of time when he addressed the media at his season-ending press conference last week.

"It could be quick. It could be a little bit later," Shanahan said. "I have a few different directions to go. I'm not really sure right now. I'm going to let a little time go by and find out what my options are."

In terms of Broncos tenure, Dennison represented one of the most experienced option when it came to promoting from within. Since the departures of Kubiak and longtime tight ends coach Brian Pariani in the past 12 months, Dennison was one of just four coaches left from Shanahan's original staff, along with running backs coach Bobby Turner, strength and conditioning coach Rich Tuten and assistant strength and conditioning coach Greg Saporta.

But Shanahan's qualifications for the position were more blunt than simply finding one of the most tenured coaches.

"Same qualifications you look for in assistant coaches. You want a guy that promises he’s going to score touchdowns every time he makes a call," Shanahan said last week.

Like Kubiak, Dennison is also a former Broncos player, manning a linebacker slot from 1982 through 1990. Eight of Dennison's seasons in uniform overlapped with Kubiak's time as the Broncos' backup quarterback. He started 52 games in his nine Broncos seasons and also was a starting linebacker in Super Bowl XXIV, and speaking of starts, Dennison will have a chance to get an early start on his new duties next week when the Broncos' coaching staff helms the AFC All-Star side in the Pro Bowl.

Heimerdinger earned plaudits in his first Broncos stint as wide receivers coach from 1995-99 for helping develop Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey into perennial 1,000-yard receivers. Neither had attained that standard before arriving in Denver; in fact, the Broncos had just one wide receiver go over 1,000 yards in the five seasons before Heimerdinger arrived (Anthony Miller, 1994) before posting six in the next five seasons (Miller 1995; Smith 1997, 1998 and 1999; McCaffrey 1998 and 1999), a trend that continued after Heimerdinger's departure with seven 1,000-yard seasons from 2000-05 among Smith, McCaffrey and Ashley Lelie.

Smith credits Heimerdinger with helping make him the decorated receiver he has become over the past decade, to the point where he owns every Broncos career pass-catching record and is now working his way up the highest levels of the league's all-time rankings.

"I'm out there and I'm working and I didn't really know how to play receiver," Smith said in 2003. "Coach Heimerdinger taught me. He took me out here in the offseason, he brought me out here, had me running cones, showing me why I was missing the go route, why I wasn't catching the ball why my footwork was bad, why I couldn't separate he showed me that. He took his time to show me that, and that for me was the biggest blessing ever, that he actually showed me how to play professional football and every year he'd show me something different."

After years of Heimerdinger's tutelage, Smith began to apply what he'd learned and seek out more information on his own, ensconcing himself in videotapes to study other teams' receivers, cornerbacks, and, most recently, their play-calling habits.

"That's just me. I'm kind of nerdy like that because it benefits me it makes my job easier. At the same time it helps me keep my job I don't have to feel threatened by other guys," Smith said. "Now I do it to where I study coordinators I study those guys because they have certain tendencies and patterns of what they want to do."

[epicSocialism4tw]

You could see this one coming last season. Shanny is liked by his coaches and players in part because he is loyal to those that perform for him.

[Rascal]

Smith needs to be a coach.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Well, this tells me the staus quo is ineffect. Not sure why we hired Humdinger now.

[Rascal]

Guys...I've said this before and a post article backs me up.

Kubes offered Dennison a OC position in Houston, so in order to keep him we had to give him our OC position but it is just semantics really as Hermdinger will be calling the plays not Dennison. Dennison will still be focused on the line but also work some with play calling, but during the game Hermdinger will be calling the plays and working with Shanny directly during the week to come up with a game plan. Basially just insert Hermdinger into Kubes spot but change the names around a bit and Dennison gets a raise.

[TheDave]

Originally Posted by Rascal

Smith needs to be a coach.

I think peoples "Work Ethic" (or lack of) would drive him insane!

As for the move overall i think it is a good one. It gives dennison the chance to move up the chain while improving our staff overall (from a new ideas standpoint)

[JCMElway]

I thought Dinger would BE OC, and Dennison would reami where he was Trust shanny to do what is not expected.....

[JCMElway]

Originally Posted by Rascal

Guys...I've said this before and a post article backs me up.

Kubes offered Dennison a OC position in Houston, so in order to keep him we had to give him our OC position but it is just semantics really as Hermdinger will be calling the plays not Dennison. Dennison will still be focused on the line but also work some with play calling, but during the game Hermdinger will be calling the plays and working with Shanny directly during the week to come up with a game plan. Basially just insert Hermdinger into Kubes spot but change the names around a bit and Dennison gets a raise.

Got it. Good times.

[Mile High Shack]

Originally Posted by Rascal

Guys...I've said this before and a post article backs me up.

Kubes offered Dennison a OC position in Houston, so in order to keep him we had to give him our OC position but it is just semantics really as Hermdinger will be calling the plays not Dennison. Dennison will still be focused on the line but also work some with play calling, but during the game Hermdinger will be calling the plays and working with Shanny directly during the week to come up with a game plan. Basially just insert Hermdinger into Kubes spot but change the names around a bit and Dennison gets a raise.

quoted again so we don't have to rehash this anymore

Dennison won't be calling any plays

[JCMElway]

Originally Posted by TheDave

I think peoples "Work Ethic" (or lack of) would drive him insane!

As for the move overall i think it is a good one. It gives dennison the chance to move up the chain while improving our staff overall (from a new ideas standpoint)

I think Rod will have the WR coahing position (or some special assistant WR coaching position) as soon as he retires.

[BlueCrusher]

I hope this isn't Shanahan working on his transition out plan. He said he was going to coach his current contract but didn't really commit beyond that. I think his current contract goes for another two or three years.

[maven]

Dennison receives a new title & pay raise. Dinger & Shanny will be calling the plays.

[Ratboy]

cool.

[Rausch]

I'd have moved Dinger to OC, but still a good hire...

[BigPlayShay]

Article on ESPN.com with quotes from Dinger:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2312084

Heimerdinger hired by Broncos; Dennison promoted

DENVER -- Broncos coach Mike Shanahan turned to an old friend to replace longtime assistant Gary Kubiak on his coaching staff.

Shanahan hired former New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger as assistant head coach and promoted offensive line coach Rick Dennison to offensive coordinator on Monday.

The moves come after Kubiak was hired last week as coach of the Houston Texans, and Heimerdinger was freed from his contract with the Jets.

"I'm excited to come back. I know everybody on staff and in the administration," Heimerdinger said as he stepped off the plane in Denver.

He said his duties were still being formulated, "but I would assume I'll assist Mike in the passing game" with Dennison primarily directing the running game.

Kubiak was interested in taking Dennison, 47, with him to Houston to serve as his offensive coordinator, but Shanahan didn't want to let him go.

And Shanahan was thrilled to get the chance to hire Heimerdinger again.

Heimerdinger and Shanahan were college roommates at Eastern Illinois and served together as assistants at the University of Florida in the early 1980s. Heimerdinger coached the Broncos' wide receivers in 1995-99 before going to Tennessee to be offensive coordinator from 2000-04.

He joined the Jets last year and interviewed for their head coaching job, which went to Eric Mangini, after Herman Edwards left to coach the Kansas City Chiefs.

Heimerdinger started his new job Monday but said he wasn't sure yet whether he'll join the Broncos' coaching staff at the Pro Bowl next week in Hawaii. Denver's staff will coach the AFC because of the Broncos' loss to Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship.

Heimerdinger, 53, directed a Jets offense that struggled mightily in 2005 without Chad Pennington or Curtis Martin. New York lost two starting linemen to injured reserve and used five quarterbacks.

During his stint as the Broncos' receiving coach, Heimerdinger helped undrafted free agent Rod Smith develop into a consistent 1,000-yard receiver and help Denver win back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997-98.

Dennison has been with the Broncos since Shanahan was hired as coach in 1995. The former Broncos linebacker (1982-90) appeared in three Super Bowls as a player and served as the team's offensive line coach for the last five seasons. During that time, the Broncos rushed for an NFL-best 11,644 yards and surrendered the fifth-fewest sacks (151), including a franchise-low 15 in 2004.

[ludo21]

Originally Posted by Rausch

I'd have moved Dinger to OC, but still a good hire...

We want Denison to stay tho, so we "promoted" him.

Good move by shanny, and i love this move. Going to be fun to see if we see any fresh ideas next season!

[Rascal]

Duke needs to hit the weights, blocking bags, etc. Putzier and Duke at TE would be a good weapon to use and Hermdinger likes to use TE's.

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by BigPlayShay

Article on ESPN.com with quotes from Dinger:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2312084

Heimerdinger hired by Broncos; Dennison promoted

DENVER -- Broncos coach Mike Shanahan turned to an old friend to replace longtime assistant Gary Kubiak on his coaching staff.

Shanahan hired former New York Jets offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger as assistant head coach and promoted offensive line coach Rick Dennison to offensive coordinator on Monday.

The moves come after Kubiak was hired last week as coach of the Houston Texans, and Heimerdinger was freed from his contract with the Jets.

"I'm excited to come back. I know everybody on staff and in the administration," Heimerdinger said as he stepped off the plane in Denver.

He said his duties were still being formulated, "but I would assume I'll assist Mike in the passing game" with Dennison primarily directing the running game.

Kubiak was interested in taking Dennison, 47, with him to Houston to serve as his offensive coordinator, but Shanahan didn't want to let him go.

And Shanahan was thrilled to get the chance to hire Heimerdinger again.

Heimerdinger and Shanahan were college roommates at Eastern Illinois and served together as assistants at the University of Florida in the early 1980s. Heimerdinger coached the Broncos' wide receivers in 1995-99 before going to Tennessee to be offensive coordinator from 2000-04.

He joined the Jets last year and interviewed for their head coaching job, which went to Eric Mangini, after Herman Edwards left to coach the Kansas City Chiefs.

Heimerdinger started his new job Monday but said he wasn't sure yet whether he'll join the Broncos' coaching staff at the Pro Bowl next week in Hawaii. Denver's staff will coach the AFC because of the Broncos' loss to Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship.

Heimerdinger, 53, directed a Jets offense that struggled mightily in 2005 without Chad Pennington or Curtis Martin. New York lost two starting linemen to injured reserve and used five quarterbacks.

During his stint as the Broncos' receiving coach, Heimerdinger helped undrafted free agent Rod Smith develop into a consistent 1,000-yard receiver and help Denver win back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997-98.

Dennison has been with the Broncos since Shanahan was hired as coach in 1995. The former Broncos linebacker (1982-90) appeared in three Super Bowls as a player and served as the team's offensive line coach for the last five seasons. During that time, the Broncos rushed for an NFL-best 11,644 yards and surrendered the fifth-fewest sacks (151), including a franchise-low 15 in 2004.

Doesn't that comment strike you as kindof odd? Isn't that kind of a slap at Bobby Turner? Wonder if Turner and the other assistants get a raise too.

[ludo21]

Originally Posted by papi728

Isn't that kind of a slap at Bobby Turner? Wonder if Turner and the other assistants get a raise too.

i dont think so, but i just hope Turner stays...plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[SkinRamon]

Originally Posted by Rascal

Guys...I've said this before and a post article backs me up.

Kubes offered Dennison a OC position in Houston, so in order to keep him we had to give him our OC position but it is just semantics really as Hermdinger will be calling the plays not Dennison. Dennison will still be focused on the line but also work some with play calling, but during the game Hermdinger will be calling the plays and working with Shanny directly during the week to come up with a game plan. Basially just insert Hermdinger into Kubes spot but change the names around a bit and Dennison gets a raise.

Yep. The Skins do the same thing. Greg Blache is our official "Defensive Coordinator" but our Assistant Head Coach- Defense Gregg Williams really runs the show while Blache coaches the d-line.

[baja]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

Well, this tells me the staus quo is ineffect. Not sure why we hired Humdinger now.

My Guess is Humdinger is the real OC and Dennison got the title (OC) so he could not be easily stolen away by another team in PROMOTIONAL MOVE.

[Hulamau]

I'm sure it was made crystal clear how each guy was going to work in this scenario before they signed and they have all worked together for a long time so there wont be any surprises there.

AS posted above it was just a move to lock in Dennison and give him the added recognition and a pay raise. As long as he doesnt have the head set on up in the booth on Sundays its fine with me. He needs to stay focused on the O-line. Turner can handle the RBs and Heimer can take on the overall playcalling and help out with the WR and QB.

We should have some exciting new wrinkles in the Bronco playbook this year, and more importantly a more wide open offense called during game time which has often been a sore point for us the past 5 years or so that Kubes was calling all the plays.

One thing is for sure ... KC, Oakland and SD can't be happy about this!

[Drek]

Good move. We keep Dennison and Heimerdinger is a proven quality OC who'll be an ideal tutor to Dennison. I was worried about Heimerdinger leaving real soon anyways, this way Dennison is already in place and learning on the job with both Shanny and Heimerdinger on hand to assist him through the growing pains.

Are we going to sign a new OL coach, or is Dennison going to have to double up? Maybe make Nalen a player/coach for '06 if its the later. Is Turner going to get a promotion/raise at all? He deserves it.

[Pezman]

Just an open thought pondering here.
Is it maybe time for us to consider adopting a different style of O-line now that Denny is OC? I mean we are facing a pretty critical point in the future of our run-blockers and maybe its time to get some fresh meat in there to beef up that line a bit. Thoughts?