Vance Joseph Earns Endorsements from Kubiak and Phillips for NFL Head Coach Role

Former Broncos Coaches Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips Endorse Vance Joseph as NFL Head Coach Again

The Denver Broncos are witnessing a defensive resurgence under coordinator Vance Joseph, with former head coaches Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips strongly advocating for his return as an NFL head coach. Joseph, who faced early setbacks in his head coaching career, has matured into an elite defensive mind, transforming the Broncos’ defense into one of the league’s best units. Meanwhile, reflections on the iconic 2015 Super Bowl 50-winning Broncos team reveal the intricate quarterback dynamics and critical coaching decisions that defined their championship run.

• Vance Joseph, after a challenging stint as Broncos head coach (2017-18), has excelled as defensive coordinator, leading Denver to top NFL defensive rankings in 2024.
• Former Broncos coaches Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips commend Joseph’s resilience, coaching acumen, and leadership, predicting he will secure another head coaching opportunity soon.
• The Broncos’ defense has climbed to third in scoring and total defense, leading the NFL with 49 sacks midway through the 2024 season.
• Gary Kubiak reflects on his coaching legacy and family ties to the NFL, with his sons now pursuing successful coaching careers.
• Brock Osweiler offers candid insights into his dismissed quarterback role in 2015, highlighting the pivotal moments that paved the way for Peyton Manning’s triumphant return and the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 victory.

Vance Joseph’s Defensive Mastery and Coaching Endorsement

Vance Joseph, 53, has established himself as one of the premier defensive coordinators in the NFL, particularly during his third season back with the Broncos. Though his initial head coaching stint with Denver from 2017 to 2018 ended with an 11-21 record and his subsequent dismissal, Joseph’s evolution as a coach has been striking. After four years with the Arizona Cardinals as defensive coordinator, he returned to Denver with renewed vigor.

Heading into a critical matchup against Washington, the Broncos boasted an impressive 9-2 record and ranked third in the NFL for both scoring and total defense, leading the league with 49 sacks. This defensive prowess has not gone unnoticed—legendary figures who once helmed the Broncos are vocal in their support of Joseph’s potential as a head coach.

Gary Kubiak, Denver’s head coach from 2015-16 and former backup quarterback and offensive coordinator for the team, praised Joseph in an interview with The Denver Gazette. Kubiak, who coached Joseph earlier in Houston when Joseph served as defensive backs coach, highlighted Joseph’s endurance and growth: “Vance has stood the test of time. He’s always battled back, learned from his experiences, and done a tremendous job wherever he’s been as a coordinator.” Kubiak emphasized the advantage of Joseph’s second opportunity as head coach—grounded in lessons from past roles and mentorship under coaching veterans.

Similarly, Wade Phillips, another Broncos coaching veteran who led Denver’s defense during their Super Bowl 50 championship season and served head coaching roles both in Denver and elsewhere, called Joseph “quality” and deserving of renewed head coaching chances. Phillips, known as one of the top defensive minds in NFL history, remarked on Joseph’s ability to optimize player talent over rigid schemes, emphasizing versatility and adaptability as key hallmarks of his success.

Joseph’s Impact on the Broncos’ Resurgence

Under Joseph’s defensive stewardship, the Broncos transformed from a struggling team to AFC playoff contenders. Last season, Denver ranked third in scoring defense and seventh in total defense—marked improvements that positioned Joseph as a sought-after head coaching candidate. Despite interviewing for head coach positions with the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders at the end of last season, Joseph did not secure a job, but the current season’s enhanced defensive dominance and strong team record make him a prominent candidate for openings in January.

Joseph himself remains focused on the present: “It’s flattering to hear the compliments, but my focus is winning with the Broncos right now. This is my job, and I want to continue helping this team succeed.” His collaboration with head coach Sean Payton has been crucial in refining the team and his own coaching philosophy.

Gary Kubiak’s Reflections on the Broncos and Coaching Legacy

Recently retired, Kubiak returned to Denver for the 10-year reunion of the Super Bowl 50 championship team he coached. Watching Denver’s thrilling comeback win over the Giants during Alumni Weekend, Kubiak expressed admiration for the current squad’s belief and resilience, traits essential in sustaining success over a grueling 17-game season.

Kubiak elaborated on the diverse ways teams can secure victories—not always with high offense but through defense, special teams, and strategic opportunism. Reflecting on his coaching career, he praised the Broncos’ current staff, including Joseph, and noted the joy in watching his coaching successors lead and innovate.

Kubiak’s NFL legacy extends beyond his own achievements, notably through his family. His sons—Klay, Klint, and Klein—are all involved in coaching and scouting roles in the NFL, highlighting the familial dedication to football.

The 2015 Broncos: From Quarterback Controversy to Super Bowl Glory

The article also revisits a pivotal chapter in Broncos history—the 2015 Super Bowl-winning season, spotlighting the quarterback saga between Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning under head coach Gary Kubiak.

Osweiler, who stepped into the starting role amid Manning’s injury, performed admirably, going 5-2 in his starts and helping maintain the Broncos’ playoff push. Yet his tenure was abruptly interrupted when Kubiak, seeking a team spark amid turnovers and a crucial late-season game against the Chargers, replaced Osweiler with Manning. This switch helped ignite the Broncos on their path to securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed and ultimately winning the Super Bowl.

Osweiler candidly recalls his emotional turmoil upon being benched but expresses enduring admiration and respect for Kubiak’s leadership and Manning’s role in securing the title. He underscores the defensive unit’s dominance and suggests the team might have won the Super Bowl regardless of the quarterback, though Manning’s leadership was invaluable.

Kubiak described the difficult yet necessary decision to bring Manning back, recognizing Manning’s diminished health but invaluable presence. Manning’s comeback performance, though statistically modest, had a profound psychological and strategic impact that galvanized the team. Ultimately, the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 triumph was built upon suffocating defense led by Wade Phillips, a dominant front, and clutch playmakers.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Leadership and Renewal

The Denver Broncos’ journey from Super Bowl champions in 2015, through periods of transition, to a strong 2024 season under Vance Joseph’s defensive coordination exemplifies resilience and adaptability. Endorsements from coaching legends Gary Kubiak and Wade Phillips highlight Joseph’s readiness to lead again as an NFL head coach, buoyed by proven defensive success and player rapport.

The intertwining stories of coaching legacies, family ties, and critical player moments frame an ongoing narrative of football excellence deeply rooted in Denver’s NFL identity. As the current Broncos continue their campaign, the leadership from past and present coaches offers optimism for sustained success and new chapters in franchise history.