Detroit – On a day Broncos coach Mike Shanahan was looking into the premier offensive player to be on the open market this offseason, he added to the unit by officially bringing back an old friend and promoting a loyal staffer.
In what became an expected twist, Shanahan hired Mike Heimerdinger as assistant head coach and promoted offensive line coach Rick Dennison to offensive coordinator. It became clear during the weekend that there could be semantic title changes to the hiring of Heimer- dinger, who agreed to a three-year contract.
“I’m very fired up to be back here,” Heimer- dinger said Monday. “This is where I wanted to be. Working for this kind of franchise is special. Mr. (Pat) Bowlen is a class owner, and this is the type of place any coach would want to be.”
He is expected to call the offensive plays – as a replacement for former coordinator Gary Kubiak – and work particularly with the passing game. Dennison, who will remain the Broncos’ offensive line coach, will continue to work extensively with the running game.
Dennison said his primary role will be with the offensive line. He had a chance to go to Houston with Kubiak, the new coach of the Texans, as offensive coordinator but decided to remain with the Broncos.
Denver is expected to hire an extra offensive coach, likely to assist Dennison with the line.
Heimerdinger was the Broncos’ receivers coach during their back-to-back Super Bowl championship seasons. He was the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator in 2005, and the Tennessee Titans’ coordinator for four years before that.
Heimerdinger and Shanahan were college roommates at Eastern Illinois. Heimerdinger’s son, Brian, is a receiver at Colorado State and Heimerdinger is a former Air Force assistant.
Heimerdinger’s return was expected after he was freed from his contract with the Jets.
Heimderdinger said there will be little changes to Denver’s offense. He shares Shana- han’s coaching philosophies. He likes to stretch the field and use tight ends, and has had great success with quarterbacks. Titans star Steve McNair was the NFL’s co-MVP in 2003 under Heimerdinger.
Heimerdinger said Denver is in fine shape with veteran quarterback Jake Plummer.
“Jake had a great year,” Heimerdinger said. “He was good every week. That type of consistency is hard to find.”
Dennison, too, said he expects minimal changes.
“Mike (Shanahan) will give us the direction we need to go,” Dennison said. “We’ll all work very closely in getting the job done.”
