Mike Westhoff enters his first season as assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos in 2023. He was hired by the club on Feb. 25.

A 45-year coaching veteran, Westhoff has accumulated 32 years of NFL experience with four clubs. He most recently spent two seasons (2017-18) with the New Orleans Saints, where he served as special teams coordinator.

Mike Westhoff enters his first season as assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos in 2023. He was hired by the club on Feb. 25.

A 45-year coaching veteran, Westhoff has accumulated 32 years of NFL experience with four clubs. He most recently spent two seasons (2017-18) with the New Orleans Saints, where he served as special teams coordinator.

In Westhoff's two seasons in New Orleans, the Saints' special teams ranked fourth in the NFL in fewest punt return yards allowed (309) while posting the seventh-highest kickoff return average (23.5) and field goal percentage (89.4). New Orleans was also 1-of-11 teams in the two-year span to record a kickoff return for touchdown.

In 2018, Westhoff oversaw a special teams unit that ranked Top-10 in punt return yards against (60—1st), punt return average against (5.0—3rd) and kickoff return average (24.3—10th).

Joining the Saints in 2017, Westhoff made an immediate impact in New Orleans, helping the unit rank sixth in kickoff return average (22.9) and in average starting field position after kickoffs (25.6) that season. Kicker Wil Lutz made significant improvement in his second NFL season, leading the team with 140 points while connecting on 31-of-36 field goals (86.1), which, at the time, tied the franchise record for most field goals in a single season. Running back Alvin Kamara, who was in his rookie season, finished the year with a 31.5 kickoff return average, the highest in franchise history for a single season.

From 2001-12, Westhoff piloted the New York Jets' special teams unit and produced one of the league's best kickoff return groups. The Jets' 16 kickoff returns for touchdowns in the 13-year period under Westhoff were the most in the National Football League.

Seven different Jets returned kickoffs for touchdowns during Westhoff's tenure: running back Leon Washington (4), defensive back Justin Miller (3), wide receiver Brad Smith (3), running back Joe McKnight (2), running back Chad Morton (2), wide receiver Jonathan Carter (1) and wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (1). McKnight set a team record for longest kickoff return touchdown (107 yards) in 2011, while seven different players combined to return 11 kicks for at least 90 yards with Westhoff at the helm.

Washington was elected to his first career Pro Bowl in 2008 after finishing sixth in the AFC in kick return average (25.6) and seventh in the AFC in punt return average (10.4). The Jets finished the 2008 campaign with the fourth-best average starting field position after a kickoff (29.6-yard line) in the NFL.

In 2007, Washington set a franchise record for most kickoff returns touchdowns in a single season (3) while ranking Top-10 in kickoff return yards (1,291—9th). Miller earned his only Pro Bowl nod in 2006 after averaging 28.3 yards per return while returning two kicks for touchdowns.

In 2003, the highly-regarded Jets special teams finished second in the NFL in kickoff return average (24.4) and fourth in average start (31.6).

In 2002, the Jets return teams scored four total touchdowns, two on both kickoff return and punt return, and placed first in punt return average (16.0) in the NFL. Westhoff's punt return team was also the only one in the NFL not to allow a return of 20 yards or more in 2002.

In 2001, the Jets special teams units earned a combined starting field position that ranked first in the NFL (kickoff coverage ranked fifth in average kickoff drive start – 26.6 yard line; kickoff returns ranked second in average kickoff drive start – 31.2 yard line). They also blocked two punts and returned both for touchdowns.

Westhoff came to the Jets after 15 years with the Miami Dolphins from 1986-2000. In his final year with the Dolphins, Westhoff was named "NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year" after his unit ranked Top-5 in both field goal percentage (90.3—3rd) and punt return average (13.3—4th).

In 1999, Dolphins kicker Olindo Mare was selected as an AP All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl as he drilled an NFL-best 39 field goals, tied for the third-highest total in NFL record books. In 1989, the Dolphins' players honored Westhoff's dedication and courage by awarding him the NFL's Ed Block Courage Award as he battled bone cancer. Despite the surgeries and treatments he endured, he continued to coach full time.

Earning his first NFL coaching opportunity in 1982, Westhoff coached the offensive line, tight ends and special teams for the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts from 1982-84. The following year (1985), Westhoff served as offensive line coach for the Arizona Outlaws of the United States Football League (USFL).

Westhoff began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Indiana University, where he also earned his master's degree in educational psychology in 1974. He coached for five collegiate institutions, spending time with Indiana (1974-75), Dayton (1976), Indiana State (1977), Northwestern (1978-80) and TCU (1981).

Westhoff began his collegiate playing career at Wyoming in 1985, where he was a starting outside linebacker as a freshman for the Cowboys. He transferred to Wichita State where he started for three years at both center and linebacker. He was voted MVP as a junior and served as team captain as a senior before graduating in 1970 with a history degree.

The Pittsburgh native was inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

ASSOCIATED PRESS ALL-PRO PLAYERS COACHED (7): K Olindo Mare (1999), DB Justin Miller (2006), P Reggie Roby (1991), P Rohn Stark (1983), K Pete Stoyanovich (1992), RB Leon Washington (2008).

PRO BOWL PLAYERS COACHED (5): TE Ferrell Edmunds (1989-90), TE Keith Jackson (1992), K Olindo Mare (1999), P Reggie Roby (1989), RB Leon Washington (2008).

COACHING EXPERIENCE

Denver Broncos

Assistant Head Coach                         2023

New Orleans Saints

Special Teams Coordinator                  2017-18

New York Jets

Special Teams Coordinator                  2001-12

Miami Dolphins

Tight Ends & Special Teams                1986-2000

Arizona Outlaws (United States Football League)

Offensive Line                                     1985

Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts

Offensive Line, Tight Ends & Special Teams      1982-84

Texas Christian University

Offensive Line                                     1981

Northwestern University

Offensive Line                                     1978-80

Indiana State University

Defensive Line & Linebackers              1977

University of Dayton

Offensive Line                                     1976

Indiana University

Freshman Coach                                 1975

Graduate Assistant                              1974