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Published on 01/08/2008 at Tue Jan 08 13:24.
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Jim Bates Leaves Denver; Slowik to Oversee Defense

Posted Tue Jan 8th by

[Bates]
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Jim Bates has opted to leave the Denver Broncos after one season as the Assistant Head Coach/Defense.

The Rocky Mountain News reports that Bates was facing reassignment within the coaching staff. The report also indicates that current Defensive Coordinator/Secondary Bob Slowik will now oversee the entire defense.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity and very saddened that things did not work out. I had the opportunity to stay. Mike has been very fair with me, and the final decision, for the Broncos and for me, was to step aside.”

So, the Jim Bates era is now over in Denver. I can’t say that I’m thrilled – with change comes adjustment. Hopefully this year it’s a positive adjustment – one that sees the Broncos play better under Slowik than they did in Bates’ complicated system.

After ranking 30th in run defense and 28th in points allowed, his one-year stint with the Broncos is surely something Bates would like to leave off his resume should he continue coaching in the future.

Best of luck, Jim, in your future endeavors.

  • http://merlinofchaos.livejournal.com E. Halsey Miles

    I don’t know for sure how I feel about this.

    On one hand, word on the street is that it really takes two seasons to ‘get’ Bates’ system. On the other hand, with the mixed defense we were using last season, the first season probably wasn’t going to count.

    On the third hand, we don’t have the personnel for that defense. Alas, Gerard Warren, because he really was a good lineman and boy could we use that right now.

    So I don’t think there really was any point in letting Bates stay. This leads us to the issue that we now have to fill the holes. A linebacker, maybe a safety, and a DT. Maybe an experienced DE to help out while the rookies grow into their positions.

  • broncobilly32

    Later Bates!

    Broncos for Life.

  • Crosshare

    Can we get some info and background on our new defensive general Slowik?

  • http://www.broncotalk.net Jonathan Douglas

    I’d check out his bio on the official Broncos website (HERE).