In a bit of a surprising move, the Broncos reportedly fired special teams coach Ben Kotwica.
According to NFL Network’s lead insider Ian Rapoport, the Denver Broncos have fired special teams coach Ben Kowtica. He goes on to state that former Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi is available and he expects the two sides to talk at least. 9NEWS Denver’s Mike Klis has confirmed this report and the Broncos are once again, looking for a new special teams coach.
The #Broncos have fired special teams coach Ben Kotwica, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo.
With #Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi available, that’s quickly a name that makes sense for Sean Payton. Would expect they speak to him, at the least.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 17, 2025
This is a bit of a surprise as the Broncos special teams unit seemed like a strength of the Broncos this season. There were a few mistakes like the blocked game-winning field goal attempt vs. the Chiefs and Tremon Smith running into the punter during the Thursday Night loss to the Chargers. Despite that, the Broncos’ coverage and return teams were solid. Marvin Mims earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, Wil Lutz was mostly automatic this season, and Riley Dixon had a good season as a punter. Despite that, Sean Payton decided to make a change and now, the Broncos are looking for a new special teams coordinator.
Kotwica was hired when Sean Payton took the job in 2023 but was paired with veteran special teams coach Mike Westhoff. However, Westhoff had to retire during the season due to health concerns which left Kotwica to run the show by himself.
As for his replacement, Rapoport named former Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as a candidate. He joined Payton’s staff in 2019 as the Saints special teams coach. then took on the assistant head coach title after he left in 2022, and then was named the interim head coach after Dennis Allen was fired midseason.
We have seen a number of former Saints coaches join the Broncos staff in recent years so another would not be a surprise. Rizzi is an accomplished special teams coach who has assistant head coach AND head coaching experience. Adding that type of coach should only strengthen Sean Payton’s already impressive coaching staff.
We’ll see if Payton does indeed hire Rizzi this offseason who figures to be hearing from multiple teams. This is where the Walton-Penner group can flex their financial strength and help sway top coaches to join their staff due to their money advantage.