Denver Broncos fire Coach Michael Wilhoite after Allegedly Punching Police Officer

The Denver Broncos have parted ways with outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite after he was accused of punching a police officer at the Denver International Airport last month. The incident, which took place on February 23, led to the 38-year-old coach being released from his duties after serving as an assistant coach for the Broncos for the past two seasons. Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed the firing, calling the allegations against Wilhoite serious and a cause for action.

The Incident at Denver International Airport

According to the arrest affidavit obtained by the Denver Post, the altercation began when Wilhoite left his vehicle unattended in the arrivals drop-off lane at the airport. A uniformed police officer approached Wilhoite to inform him that he could not leave his vehicle in the designated area. Wilhoite, allegedly irate, responded by telling the officer to “shut the (expletive) up.” The situation escalated quickly when Wilhoite allegedly approached the officer and “bumped his chest” into the officer’s, a move that prompted the officer to push him back.

The confrontation turned physical when Wilhoite allegedly punched the officer in the face, knocking him down. In response, the officer deployed his taser, striking Wilhoite near his left hip. Despite the shock, Wilhoite got back into his car and drove away from the scene. The officer reported visible injuries to his knees and jaw pain following the incident.

This altercation took place just one day before the Broncos’ coaching staff was scheduled to travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, further complicating the situation.

Broncos Part Ways with Wilhoite

After the incident, Payton held thorough discussions with his coaching staff before making the decision to fire Wilhoite. In a statement to The Post, Payton explained, “We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time.” He also expressed gratitude for Wilhoite’s contributions to the team, while expressing confidence that the coach would move forward in a positive direction.

“After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways,” Payton continued. “I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.”

Wilhoite’s NFL Career and Coaching Background

Michael Wilhoite, originally from Topeka, Kansas, played seven seasons in the NFL between 2011 and 2017. He spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks, having gone undrafted out of Washburn University. During his playing career, Wilhoite made a name for himself as a reliable linebacker, but his post-playing career shifted toward coaching.

After retiring from playing, Wilhoite transitioned into coaching, starting with the New Orleans Saints, where he worked as a special teams and defensive assistant under Sean Payton from 2019 to 2020. His next stop was with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he served as the inside linebackers coach for two seasons. Wilhoite returned to Payton’s staff with the Broncos for the 2023 season, but his tenure with the team was short-lived due to the airport incident.

Looking Ahead

The firing of Wilhoite raises questions about how the Broncos will fill his position as the team prepares for the upcoming NFL season. Despite the challenges surrounding the incident, Wilhoite’s experience as a coach, particularly his familiarity with Payton’s system, had made him a promising candidate for success in Denver. However, given the severity of the allegations against him, the Broncos felt it necessary to take swift action to maintain a culture of professionalism and accountability.

As the Broncos move forward, they will likely focus on finding a new coach who can continue to develop their outside linebackers and contribute positively to the team’s goals. The Broncos and Wilhoite, meanwhile, will have to navigate the fallout from this incident and its impact on both his career and the team’s reputation.