Neck of the Woods: Broncos don't go far to find defensive coordinator

The Denver Broncos and Vance Joseph continue to assemble their coaching staff for the upcoming season, today making the much-expected decision to promote Joe Woods from his post as defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator, as first reported by Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post.

The 46-year-old Woods had coached since age 22 when he became an assistant as Muskingum College. He’s coached defensive backs since 1994, with the last 13 years coming in the National Football League. A former DB himself at Illinois State, Woods took over the Broncos defensive backs corps in 2015 when Gary Kubiak brought him in on his staff, interestingly enough Kubiak looked into Woods after one Vance Joseph recommended him.

The move comes after former defensive coordinator and fan favorite Wade Phillips bolted for a job with the Los Angeles Rams earlier this week, but even before Joseph was officially hired in Denver, reports suggested he was leaning towards making Woods his man to led the defense. Joseph is, of course, a defensive-minded coach and a former DBs coach and DB himself but despite his defensive background, the new lead man stated at his introductory press conference that he would like to leave play-calling duties to whoever he appoints to the position of coordinator.

John Elway stated early in the process that one of the main goals for the franchise moving forward was to not take a step back on the defensive side of the ball, now the team will put their trust in Woods to get the best out of their forest of talent on ‘D.’