Ben Kotwica (pronounced: cot-WEE-kuh) enters his second season as special teams coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2024. He was hired by the club on Feb. 25, 2023.
Kotwica, who has 16 years of NFL coaching experience across five teams, joined the Broncos after one season as assistant special teams coach for Minnesota in 2022. He's also spent time with Atlanta (2019-20), Washington (2014-18) and N.Y. Jets (2007-13).
This past season, Kotwica led in the transformation of a Broncos special teams unit that ranked near the top in multiple categories, including punt return average (16.3, 1st), punt return average against (6.3, 2nd), kickoff return average (24.9, 8th) and kickoff return average against (21.5, 9th). The special teams unit also had one of its best seasons in franchise history, as they finished in the Top-10 in team annals in punt return average (16.3, 1st), field goals made (30, T-2nd), field goal percentage (88.2, 3rd), punting average (46.3, 6th), kickoff return average (24.9, 6th) and punts inside the 20-yard line (27, T-7th).
Kotwica oversaw the development of kick returner Marvin Mims Jr., who was named an Associated Press second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2023 after averaging 16.4 yards per punt return and 26.5 yards per kickoff return. He also helped kicker Wil Lutz have one of his better seasons, making 30-of-34 field goal attempts and 29-of-31 PATs for 119 points.
In his lone season with the Vikings in 2022, Kotwica helped coach a unit that posted Top-10 rankings in kickoff return average (25.6—5th) and punt return average against (7.7—8th). Under Kotwica's guidance, long snapper Andrew DePaola earned Associated Press All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career.
Among eligible kickoff returners, running back Kene Nwangu posted the NFL's fifth-highest kickoff return average (26.3) and totaled 35 returns for 920 yards with one touchdown. His 920 kickoff return yards and 26.3 kickoff return average were the highest by a Viking since running back Cordarrelle Patterson registered 1,019 kickoff return yards in 2015 and a 31.7 kickoff return average in 2016.
Prior to the Vikings, Kotwica spent two years (2019-20) with the Falcons, working as the team's special teams coordinator. He oversaw a unit that led the NFL with five fumble recoveries in 2019, marking the most by a team in a single season since the N.Y. Giants (5) in 2012.
Spending five seasons as special teams coordinator for Washington from 2014-18, Kotwica guided a unit that posted the fifth-fewest kickoff return yards against (2,970) and while ranking tied for seventh in gross punting average (45.7). During the 2017 season, Washington surrendered 18.7 yards per kickoff return, which was the second-lowest average in the league that season.
During his seven seasons with Atlanta and Washington (2014-20), Kotwica's special teams units found success finding the end zone, recording two kickoff returns for touchdowns (T-2nd most) and five total scores on special teams (T-5th most).
Beginning his NFL coaching career in 2007, Kotwica joined the Jets, where he was part of the coaching staff for seven seasons from 2007-13. He began his tenure as a defensive/special teams quality control coach (2007-08) before being promoted to assistant special teams coach (2009-12) and special teams coordinator (2013).
As special teams coordinator for the Jets in 2013, Kotwica's unit ranked 12th in the league in kickoff return average against (22.3). Kicker Nick Folk posted one of his best single seasons in 2013 under Kotwica, totaling the second-most made field goals (33) in his career while ranking tied for 10th in the league in field goal percentage (91.7).
In six years (2007-12) as an assistant on the Jets' staff, Kotwica helped coach a special teams unit that recorded 10 combined kickoff and punt return touchdowns, which tied for the most in the AFC and second most in the NFL. The Jets also posted a Top-10 ranking in kickoff return average (24.6—1st) and kickoff return yards (8,705—4th).
Before working his way to the NFL, Kotwica served as defensive coordinator for United States Military Academy Prep School from 2005-06. His start in coaching came nine years after concluding his collegiate career, where he played linebacker for Army from 1993-96.
Kotwica is a decorated officer who spent eight years in the United States Army after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point. His military career includes operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Korea and Iraq.
Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Aviation Branch of the Army, Kotwica was selected to fly the AH-64 Apache Longbow, the world's top attack helicopter. He was an Attack Helicopter Platoon Leader in support of the 82nd Airborne Division from 1998-2001, where he was responsible for the health and welfare of 20 soldiers.
A nominee for the NFL's Salute to Service Award in 2022, Ben Kotwica is a native of Tinley Park, Ill.
ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-PRO PLAYERS COACHED (2): LS Andrew DePaola (2022), KR Marvin Mims Jr. (2023).
PRO BOWL PLAYERS COACHED (3): LS Andrew DePaola (2022), K Younghoe Koo (2020), KR Marvin Mims Jr. (2023).
Special Teams Coordinator 2023-24
Assistant Special Teams 2022
Special Teams Coordinator 2019-20
Special Teams Coordinator 2014-18
Special Teams Coordinator 2013
Assistant Special Teams 2009-12
Defensive/Special Teams Quality Control 2007-08
United States Military Academy Prep School
Defensive Coordinator 2005-06
