Nathaniel Hackett

2022 - 12 - 26

Post cover — Image courtesy of "NFL.com"

Broncos fire coach Nathaniel Hackett after 4-11 start to first season ... (NFL.com)

The Denver Broncos have fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday.

In his Monday statement, Penner expressed confidence in Paton as the team's GM, but the trade for Wilson -- which included the Broncos sending their 2023 first-round pick to Seattle -- stands as a massive blemish on his résumé. But instead of serving as a beacon of encouragement, this reality only further emphasized the failures of the Hackett and Wilson-led offense. From what we've seen from Wilson this season, the Broncos appear stuck in the same predicament they've been in since Manning's retirement: talented enough to reach the playoffs, but lacking a quarterback to get them there. He appeared to be very much overwhelmed by the duties of being a head coach during games, but his partnership with Wilson ended up being his undoing. [humiliating blowout loss](https://www.nfl.com/games/broncos-at-rams-2022-reg-16) to the lowly Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day serving as the final nail. Instead of watching Wilson work his magic -- or as fans in Seattle once referred to it, cook -- the Denver faithful agonized over their team's failures as Wilson struggled to perform even remotely near his former Pro Bowl level. Hackett's background led Denver to believe it had the right coach to pair with a newly acquired quarterback, and the Broncos followed suit by pulling off The frustration didn't end with pre-snap issues, though: Denver also failed to score a touchdown in five straight goal-to-go situations, [tying the longest such streak by any team to start a season in the last 30 years](https://twitter.com/JamesPalmerTV/status/1571673011329142784). This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach. But even after Hackett's staff worked out some of the early kinks, it became painfully evident the Broncos' highly touted offseason wasn't going to produce a winner. "We sincerely appreciate Nathaniel's efforts and wish him and his family all the best in the future. Denver later made Rosburg's interim ascension official and later Monday evening announced the firings of special teams coordinator Dwayne Stukes and offensive line coach Butch Barry.

Broncos part ways with Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett (DenverBroncos.com)

Please see below for a statement from Penner, who will be available to the media along with General Manager George Paton on Tuesday at a 10 a.m. MST press ...

As we begin the process of selecting our next head coach, we remain focused on playing competitive football to finish the season on a positive note." "Following extensive conversations with George and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos. "On behalf of our ownership and organization, I want to thank Nathaniel Hackett for his dedication as head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Broncos fire Nathaniel Hackett after disastrous 15 games (104.3 The Fan)

After a disastrous 4-11 start the Broncos have made the call -- Hackett is out after his offense put up pitiful numbers through 15 games.

He never seemed to get it going with Wilson, and his safety-first strategy didn’t pan out as Denver is the most banged-up teams in the league. The change in ownership to some of the [wealthiest folks in the country](https://denversports.com/2098784/the-broncos-now-have-the-richest-owner-in-the-nfl-and-its-not-close/) upped the urgency of Hackett working out. The taking of Hackett’s whistle is also unique in NFL history; only a few have had shorter tenures. Again, the context for where the Broncos are as a franchise with the hype of a playoff drought being broken spurred the change, as much did Hackett’s failures, which were numerous. [the Pat Bowlen Trust](https://denversports.com/2099570/with-new-ownership-pat-bowlens-daughter-brittany-departs-broncos/) to the [Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group](https://denversports.com/2099779/walton-penner-family-ownership-group-appears-set-at-six-total-members/). At 4-11, the Broncos are cutting ties with Hackett after 15 games at the helm.

Denver Broncos fire coach Nathaniel Hackett after 4-11 start (ESPN)

Nathaniel Hackett has been fired by the Broncos after a 4-11 start to the season and a day after an embarrassing 51-14 loss to the Rams.

[Oday Aboushi](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/15972/oday-aboushi) exchanged words -- with helmets on -- and Gregory punched Aboushi in the helmet. Both Gregory and Aboushi were [suspended one game](/nfl/story/_/id/35323584/broncos-randy-gregory-rams-oday-aboushi-suspended-1-game) by the NFL on Monday. Shortly after Hackett's hire, the Broncos traded five draft picks, including two first-rounders and two second-rounders, as well as three players to the [Seattle Seahawks](/nfl/team/_/name/sea/seattle-seahawks) to acquire quarterback [Russell Wilson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/14881/russell-wilson). [Dallas Cowboys](/nfl/team/_/name/dal/dallas-cowboys) defensive coordinator Dan Quinn were also finalists for the role. But as the season wore on, there was far less conversation in the public domain about Hackett's willingness to think outside the box in his teaching methods and more about why the Broncos' offense was so historically bad. "One of those things, you look back at it and say, 'Of course we should go for it; we missed the field goal.' But in that situation we had a plan, we knew 46 was the mark." Five of the Broncos' first six losses and eight total have been one-score games. The disconnect between Hackett, Wilson and the offense persisted, however. "This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach. It's a far cry from Hall of Famer Pat Bowlen's three-decade run as owner, when the Broncos went to more Super Bowls (seven) than they had losing seasons. At one point this season, the Broncos featured the No. Hackett's dismissal puts an abrupt end to the shortest tenure of any noninterim head coach in franchise history.

Broncos fire coach Nathaniel Hackett day after loss to Rams (Los Angeles Times)

The Denver Broncos have fired first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett with two games left in the season. Owner and CEO Greg Penner said he'll lead the ...

Wilson has had an awful first season in Denver after the Broncos sent four premium draft picks and three players to Seattle for the nine-time Pro Bowler. The game featured a sideline spat between backup quarterback Brett Rypien and guard Dalton Risner, and pass rusher Randy Gregory threw a punch at a Rams player after the game. Firing Hackett with two games left in a lost season allows Penner to begin his search for a replacement immediately.

Nathaniel Hackett fired after Broncos collapse Christmas Day ... (USA TODAY)

The Denver Broncos released Nathaniel Hackett as the team fell to 4-11 after a 51-14 beatdown by the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas.

The Broncos hired Hackett in January to be the franchise’s 18th head coach after he served three seasons (2019-2021) in Green Bay as the Packers' offensive coordinator. In August, the Broncos organization formally introduced their new ownership group led by Rob Walton and the Walton-Penner Family. Rosburg has two decades of coaching experience in the NFL and had been one of the trusted assistants for John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. In his lone season in Denver, Hackett had some clock management and game management issues as well as an underperforming offense. "This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach. The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.