The Denver Broncos have appointed former New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi as their new special teams coordinator.
Rizzi spent the last six years with the Saints, where he worked as special teams coordinator under both Broncos head coach Sean Payton and Dennis Allen, before stepping in as interim head coach last season. He finished with a 3-5 record and interviewed for the permanent head coach position, which ultimately went to Kellen Moore, the former offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles.
In Denver, the 54-year-old Rizzi takes over from https://www.emilysportnews.com/?p=19704&preview=trueBen Kowtica, who was dismissed last month following several significant special teams mistakes, including those in the Broncos’ playoff loss to Buffalo.
After a 17-year college coaching career, Rizzi joined the Miami Dolphins in 2009 as their assistant special teams coach. He went on to serve as the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator for the next nine seasons before Sean Payton hired him in New Orleans.
Rizzi now takes over a strong special teams unit in Denver, where punt returner Marvin Mims Jr. led the league with a 15.7-yard return average last season and earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Mims was also one of three Broncos (along with Patrick Surtain II and Quinn Meinerz) to receive AP first-team All-Pro honors last season.
Rizzi will continue working with kicker Wil Lutz, who was the Saints’ kicker before joining the Broncos in 2023 when Payton took over. Broncos punter Riley Dixon had a solid season last year but will be entering unrestricted free agency next month.
Kowtica’s two-year stint in Denver was mostly successful, except for a significant mishap during Week 10 at Kansas City. In that game, linebacker Leo Chenal blocked Lutz’s 35-yard field goal as time expired, securing a 16-14 victory for the Chiefs. Additionally, a 34-27 loss to the Chargers in December was influenced by Tremon Smith running into punt returner Derius Davis, leading to the NFL’s first successful fair-catch kick in 48 years. This play sparked a 24-6 run by Los Angeles, which completed a season sweep of the Broncos for the first time since 2010.
Payton still has several staff positions to fill. Pass-game coordinator John Morton and tight ends coach Declan Doyle left to become offensive coordinators elsewhere—Morton in Detroit and Doyle in Chicago. Also, assistant special teams coach Chris Banjo joined the Jets as their new special teams coordinator.
In addition to Kowtica, Payton dismissed inside linebackers coach Greg Manusky last month.
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