The Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett has hired former Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg as a senior assistant to assist him in making gameday decisions.
Hackett contacted general manager George Paton after Sunday’s Week 2 game against the Houston Texans to propose hiring a seasoned coach experienced in gameday management. Paton then asked CEO Greg Penner, who gave his approval.
Following series of game management issues in win vs HOU, Hackett went to work, calling around to bring in experienced resource. By Wednesday, Rosburg was at facility talking role. Most notably was STcoord/asst HC for Ravens 2008-18. Helped Harbaugh w/game management. #9sports
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) September 24, 2022
Rosburg was officially hired on Friday night, and he is set to make an appearance in the game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night. Prior to his appointment, Rosburg had spent the previous week watching the Broncos’ practices.
Rosburg is considered one of the most esteemed assistant coaches in recent NFL history. He served as Jim Harbaugh’s special teams coordinator, associate head coach and game-day czar from 2008 until his retirement after the 2018 season. Rosburg received a formal retirement press conference from the Ravens celebrating his contributions.
After saying he wanted “more efficient decisions” w/gameday operation, Nathaniel Hackett is backing words with action.
Per source, Hackett hired widely respected 40-year coach Jerry Rosburg to assist on game management.
Huge hire. Rosburg spotted at practice this wk. #9sports— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) September 24, 2022
Rosburg retired to spend more time with his family. All three of his children play college sports: Megan is a volleyball captain at American University, Jerad is a hockey player at Michigan State and Margaret plays for St. Louis University as a volleyball player. After three seasons away from the game, he returned with a prominent role with the Broncos.
Chain of mistakes
Hackett was heavily criticized for his decision during his first game as the head coach on September 12. He chose an unlikely 64-yard field goal attempt over having his new star quarterback Russell Wilson attempt a fourth-and-5 conversion from the Seattle 46-yard line.
NFL commentators and fans ridiculed Hackett’s call when the Broncos lost due to Brandon McManus’ long field goal attempt. Hackett acknowledged his mistake at his day-after-game press conference.
He said that he would have taken the field on fourth down if he could go back in time. Hackett said the problem wasn’t indecision, asserting he had a plan. However, he said his planning process needed to be improved.
In the Week 2 game against Houston, Hackett’s decision-making and game-management skills suffered another setback. The Broncos had to use all three of their second NFL half timeouts. One of those timeouts was lost because the team had too many players on the field, causing a returner to flee the field to avoid a penalty.
The Broncos also had a team-record 25 penalties in two games and went five combined goal-to-go possessions without scoring a touchdown. This is the first time it has happened since the 2000 season.
Broncos’ HC Nathaniel Hackett has hired former Ravens’ asst HC/special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg as Senior Assistant to help him with gameday decisions, as @mikeklis also reported. Rosburg spent week in Denver and will be in Broncos’ coaching booth Sunday night.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2022
Analyst’s opinion
According to sports analyst Mike Klis, Hackett would be a more effective head coach and play-caller. Klis asserted that Rosberg has a strong presence to help with game management during the week and on game day.
“With one of the NFL’s youngest coaching staffs and a trio of coordinators essentially in their first year supporting a first-time head coach,” Klis said. “A veteran coach like Rosburg should have an immediate impact with gameday decision-making.”
Klis also commended Hackett’s accountability, noting that NFL coaches tend to be “defensive to criticism” and “would rather have a tooth pulled than admit a mistake.”
Been around a lot of coaches. Most don’t admit a problem, let alone act so quickly on a burning issue. Hackett showed self-awareness here. Basically he lured a veteran coach out of a 3-year retirement and got him here in 3 days. #9sports https://t.co/yKOyZkp3cM
— Mike Klis (@mikeklis) September 24, 2022
“Credit Hackett for not being like so many NFL coaches and letting stubborn pride get in the way of well-reasoned, self-evaluation,” Klis commented.
“Hackett has said all the right things during his daily press conferences, showing honest accountability and not getting defensive amid a national firestorm.”