Broncos Fire OLB Coach Michael Wilhoite After Arrest

In a shocking turn of events, the Denver Broncos have officially parted ways with outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite following his recent arrest for felony assault on a police officer. This decision comes after extensive discussions within the organization, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations against him.

Details of the Incident

The incident that led to Wilhoite’s arrest occurred last month, just before the Broncos coaching staff was set to travel to Indianapolis for the NFL scouting combine. According to reports, Wilhoite left his vehicle unattended in the arrivals lane of the airport. When he returned, a uniformed police officer informed him that he could not leave his car there.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that Wilhoite reacted aggressively, telling the officer to “shut the f*** up” on two occasions. Following this verbal confrontation, he allegedly bumped the officer’s chest, prompting a physical response. The officer reportedly shoved Wilhoite back, which escalated the situation further. In a surprising turn, Wilhoite allegedly punched the officer in the face, leading to the officer deploying his taser. Although the taser struck Wilhoite on the hip, he managed to drive away shortly after the altercation.

Wilhoite’s Coaching Career

Michael Wilhoite joined the Broncos coaching staff two years ago under head coach Sean Payton, who had previously worked with him as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints. Before his tenure with the Broncos, Wilhoite served as a linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers. His coaching career has been marked by a commitment to developing defensive talent and a strong understanding of the game.

As a player, Wilhoite had a notable career in the NFL, spending six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. He rose from being an undrafted practice squad player to becoming a starter for the 49ers in 2014. Notably, he was part of the special teams unit that reached Super Bowl XLVII during the 2013 season. Wilhoite retired with an impressive total of 298 career combined tackles after the 2017 season.

Impact on the Broncos Organization

The Broncos’ decision to fire Wilhoite underscores the organization’s commitment to maintaining a professional and respectful environment. The allegations against him are serious and reflect poorly not only on Wilhoite but also on the team as a whole. The Broncos are now faced with the challenge of finding a suitable replacement who can uphold the team’s values and continue to develop their defensive strategies.

As the Broncos move forward, they will need to address the impact of this incident on their coaching staff and the players. The organization has a responsibility to ensure that all team members exemplify the highest standards of conduct, both on and off the field.

Looking Ahead

In the wake of this incident, the Broncos will likely be scrutinizing their hiring practices and the vetting process for coaches. The NFL community is watching closely as the team navigates this challenging situation. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how the Broncos respond and what steps they will take to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

For more details on this developing story, you can read the original article here.