Broncos Fire to OLB coach Michael Wilhoite after alleged assault

Englewood, Colorado. – The Broncos de Denver fired the coach of external supporters Michael Wilhoite on Wednesday, just over a week after being arrested for allegedly hitting a police officer at the Denver International Airport.

“After exhaustive discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him that we have decided to separate,” said the chief coach of the Broncos, Sean Payton, in a prepared statement. “We recognize the serious nature of the accusations against him and we believe that this is the best course of action at this time. I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and I am sure that it will advance in a positive direction.”

When asked last week at the Scouting combines about Wilhoite’s arrest, Payton said the Broncos had been in contact with the officials responsible for enforcing the law and the NFL on the incident and that he and the team would follow “protocols and appropriate channels” before a decision on the future of Wilhoite was made.

Wilhoite, 38, according to judicial records, was arrested on February 23 for allegedly hitting a police officer after Wilhoite was told that he could not leave his Bronco Ford unattended in a delivery lane at the airport. Wilhoite, according to documents, told the officer to “close the F —” and hit his chest in the officer. When the officer pushed him, Wilhoite hit the officer on the face and the officer fell to the ground, according to the documents.

The officer used a taser in Wilhoite, who later left. The officer appeared with wounds on the knees, doll and jaw.

Wilhoite was taken to Denver prison that day and received a judicial hearing on February 24. He was formally accused of second degree assault on a police officer, obstruction of a peace officer and criminal pranks.

Wilhoite had been in Payton’s staff with the New Orleans Saints in 2019 and 2020. He had been in the Broncos staff during the last two seasons. Wilhoite played six seasons at the NFL, five for the San Francisco 49ers and one for the Seattle Seahawks.