Broncos Hire Payton Lieutenant Joe Vitt as Senior Defensive Assistant

The Denver Broncos finalized their coaching staff under Sean Payton.

The Denver Broncos added expertise and experience on Saturday before finalizing their coaching staff under Sean Payton. Following last season’s complete debacle under first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett and his exceedingly green offensive coaching staff, Payton's Broncos are drawing from veteran coaches and connections during his time in New Orleans to solidify the group.

After hiring Mike Westhoff as assistant head coach and special teams overseer, who also has previous experience working with Payton, Denver's new head coach drew once again on the formerly retired workforce this week. It was announced that Joe Vitt has been hired as a senior defensive coach, first reported by 9NEWS' Mike Klis.

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The Vitt news came on the heels of the Broncos filling one other last position on Payton's staff, hiring LSU defensive line coach Jamar Cain. Cain will work as a pass-rush specialist coach. 

Vitt coached under Payton in New Orleans from 2006 to 2012 as an assistant head coach and linebackers coach. He was brought over from the then-St. Louis Rams to provide experience and knowledge on the defensive side of the ball while Payton got his feet wet as a first-time NFL head coach.

Coaching the linebackers under three different defensive coordinator regimes in New Orleans, including Gary Gibbs, Gregg Williams, and Steve Spagnuolo, Vitt was kept on the coaching staff by the Saints despite the turnover on that side of the ball.

Vitt was suspended six games in 2012 by the league due to his alleged involvement in the 'bountygate' scandal under Williams. Vitt was accused of being complicit in the bounties Williams cooked up to harm opposing players, as well as attempting to cover up the scandal. An ugly mark on Vitt's resume.

After the hiring of Vitt, the Broncos announced that the coaching staff has been finalized. With Payton adding a number of former players and coaches he's worked with in the past, Vitt coming to Denver is another example of the cliche “it’s not what you know, but who,” as those with connection to the Broncos’ new head coach continue to find new residence in Denver for the upcoming season.

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