Broncos' Decision on Interim HC Will Surprise Some Fans

The Denver Broncos made a decision that'll surprise many fans after Nathaniel Hackett was fired.

On the heels of an embarrassing and ugly Christmas Day loss wherein the Los Angeles Rams dropped a 50-burger on the Denver Broncos, CEO Greg Penner stepped in and fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Broncos announced Hackett's dismissal Monday morning. 

With two games left to be played on the regular-season schedule, though, who would the Broncos tap to serve as interim head coach? ESPN insider Adam Schefter broke the news, and while the answer is poetic, it will surprise some fans. 

"Sources: Broncos players were just informed that senior assistant coach Jerry Rosburg, whom Nathaniel Hackett hired during the season to aid him in clock management strategy, is now taking over as the Broncos’ interim head coach, effective immediately," Schefter tweeted. 

Sources: Broncos players were just informed that senior assistant coach Jerry Rosburg, whom Nathaniel Hackett hired during the season to aid him in clock management strategy, is now taking over as the Broncos’ interim head coach, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/WJ8BFXlg3k

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2022

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What makes the Rosburg decision so ironic is that he wasn't even on Hackett's coaching staff to open this NFL season. Rosburg was hired during preparations for the Broncos' Week 4 matchup, following Hackett's three-week display of game-management incompetency to open the season. 

The 67-year-old Rosburg is best known as a special teams coordinator and has worked for four different NFL clubs since 2001. Rosburg also served as associate head coach to John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens, assisting with the in-game decision-making and logistical demands of the job, including clock management. 

Rosburg spent 11 years with the Ravens in that role, where he contributed to seven playoff berths, including Baltimore's Super Bowl XLVII World Championship in 2012. 

So why did Penner and GM George Paton opt for Rosburg to assume the interim mantle instead of, say, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, whose defense has been the Broncos' only competent unit for most of this season? 9NEWS' Mike Klis provided context. 

"Source: Broncos first offered interim HC job to Ejiro Evero. He declined. He's going to be a HC candidate this offseason. Preferred to stay with defense. Rosburg then made sense as he can oversee entire operation while coordinators run each phase," Klis reported on Twitter. 

Source: Broncos first offered interim HC job to Ejiro Evero. He declined. He's going to be a HC candidate this offseason. Preferred to stay with defense. Rosburg then made sense as he can oversee entire operation while coordinators run each phase. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) December 26, 2022

The irony of the coach the Broncos hired to help Hackett learn how to do his job better, becoming his immediate successor as interim, is immense. A 40-year coaching veteran, Rosburg will finish out this season as the Broncos' [interim] head coach while Penner leads a search for a permanent replacement.

Fortunately, the Broncos got a two-week start on that process by cutting bait with Hackett now. 

*This article has been updated since publishing to reflect 9NEWS' reporting on Evero refusing the interim head-coaching gig. 

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