ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — A runner-up two years ago, Vance Joseph is John Elway’s pick this time around.
The 44-year-old ex-Colorado quarterback built a reputation as one of the league’s best secondary coaches as he worked his way through the ranks in San Francisco, Houston and Cincinnati before serving as Dolphins defensive coordinator last season and helping Miami end an eight-year playoff drought.
Joseph, who will be formally introduced as the team’s 16th head coach Thursday, impressed Elway in 2015 when Gary Kubiak got the job and the Broncos even tried to hire him as their defensive coordinator, a move the Bengals blocked. So, he stayed in Cincinnati for another year as secondary coach before joining Adam Gase’s staff in Miami.
Kubiak, 55, stepped down over health concerns last week, capping a tumultuous season by the Broncos (9-7), who missed the playoffs a year after winning the Super Bowl.
Elway also interviewed Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub and Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan over the weekend. Joseph flew to Denver on Tuesday following Miami’s wild-card loss at Pittsburgh.
Joseph also had interviews lined up with the Chargers on Wednesday, the 49ers on Thursday and the Rams on Friday. But he canceled his California trip after his meeting with Elway.