John Fox Appoints First Eight Coaches

Dave Magazu Addresses his Offensive Line (Credit: Panthers Clubhouse)

The Denver Broncos have announced the initial hiring of the 2011 John Fox coaching staff, filling 8 positions within the organization.  As expected the team kept holdovers in Mike McCoy and Eric Studesville along with 4 others from the previous regime with some jostling in titles.  Here is the coaching roster thus far:

• Head Coach – John Fox (Hired from Carolina)
• Offensive Coordinator – Mike McCoy (2010 holdover)
• Defensive Coordinator – TBD (Previously held by Wink Martindale)
  
• Offensive Line – Dave Magazu (Hired from Carolina)
• O-Line Asst. – TBD (Previously held by Bob Wylie)
• Quarterbacks – TBD (Previously held by Ben McDaniels)
• Runningbacks – Eric Studesville (Holdover and Interim Head Coach 2010)
• Tight Ends – Clancy Barone (Previously offensive line coach moved to TE coach)
• Wide Receivers – Tyke Tolbert (Hired from Carolina)
• Linebackers – TBD (Previously held by Roman Phifer)
• Defensive Backs – TBD (Ed Donatell to 49ers)
• Special Teams – TBD (Previously held by Mike Priefer)
• Special Teams – TBD (Previously held by Keith Burns)
  
• Strength & Conditioning – TBD (Previously held by Rich Tuten)
• Strength & Conditioning Asst. – TBD (Previously held by Greg Saporta)

• QC Assistant – Jay Rodgers (2010 holdover)
• QC Assistant – Brian Callahan (2010 holdover)
• Defensive Assistant – TBD (Previously held by Greg Aukerman)
• Asst. to the HC, VP/Admin – TBD (Previously held by Mark Thewes)

Where does this leave the coaching staff?  Andrew Mason reports that Fox’s “long time lieutenant” Jim Skipper would typically fill the RB coach role however there are other plans in place.

Studesville’s appointment as running backs coach means that Fox will not have his long-time lieutenant, Jim Skipper, in that position. However, Skipper told The Charlotte Observer that he has been discussing a position to be determined with Fox.

“It looks like I’m going to get there (to Denver) in some capacity,” Skipper told the Observer late last week.

Skipper was also Carolina’s assistant head coach and was responsible for much of the Panthers’ game management, which could be roles he handles in Denver if he is ultimately appointed to the staff.

That probably takes care of the Assistant to the Head Coach role.  With reports of the Broncos already negotiating with Sean McDermott out there and the strong possibility of his hiring or Jim Mora Jr’s. (if he doesn’t take the Eagles position vacated by the firing of McDermott) we can probably consider that position locked down as well.  One has to assume that Martindale is gone from for the organization and will probably take a position with one of his many NFL defensive ties.

Ben McDaniels hasn’t been brought back on, not surprising if the front office wanted to cut ties with everything McD.  I was curious to see if McCoy would lobby on Ben’s part to retain his position.  Then again Ben could very likely follow Josh to his new OC role whether it be St. Louis, Kansas City, or elsewhere.  Keith Burns’ name being absent will be a bit surprising and disappointing to hard core fans.  Nothing has been ruled out but if he were going to be kept in the special teams fold, one would assume that it would’ve been announced today.

New Wide Reciever Coach Tyke Tolbert (Photo Credit: Carolina Examiner)

Also missing from the list is Rich Tuten.  The long time strength and conditioning coach has come under fire from the fan base in recent years after pre-season injuries to Knowshon Moreno and Elvis Dumervil.

For a great breakdown in what we’re getting in the hires of Magazu and Tolbert, I highly recommend Max Denver’s post regarding the news.  Andrew has worked within the Broncos and Panthers organization and knows these guys inside and out.  Both hires carry plenty of accolades for fans to be excited about.