If Gary Kubiak to Houston was the worst kept secret in the NFL, Mike Heimerdinger to Denver was the worst kept secret in Denver.
The Broncos made it official today, announcing that Heimerdinger, the former Tennessee and New York Jets offensive coordinator, will be the team’s assistant head coach. Offensive line coach Rick Dennison has been promoted to offensive coordinator.
Heimerdinger will run the offense while Dennison will work closely with the team’s running game. Dennison had a chance to go to Houston with Kubiak — who was named the Texans’ head coach Thursday — but opted to stay in Denver.
Heimerdinger, a former Denver receivers coach under Shanahan, was freed from his contract as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator on Wednesday. After nearly a week of negotiating, the Jets granted Heimerdinger his wish and the two sides parted ways.
Heimerdinger and Shanahan were college roommates at Eastern Illinois University and remain close. Heimerdinger was a receiver’s coach for Shanahan before going to Tennessee to become the Titans’ offensive coordinator spanning 2000-04 before spending last season with the Jets.
