The Broncos agreed to terms with Reggie Herring to be their linebackers coach, the team announced Monday. Herring takes over for Richard Smith, who accepted a senior defensive position with the Atlanta Falcons.
Herring, a 34-year coaching veteran, was previously the linebackers coach in Houston (2002-03, 2011-13), Dallas (2008-10) and Chicago (2014).
In his second stint in Houston, he worked under Gary Kubiak, the Broncos’ new head coach. In 2011, the Texans’ linebackers accounted for 27 of the team’s 44 sacks as Houston finished second in the league in total defense (285.7 yards per game).
Herring also has 25 years of collegiate coaching experience, with stops at Oklahoma State (1981-85), Auburn (1986-91), Texas Christian (1992-93), Clemson (1994-2001), North Carolina State (2004) and Arkansas (2005-07).
Smith just completed his eighth season overall with the Broncos, in separate stints, and has worked for seven different NFL teams over the years. He worked with the Broncos’ linebackers and special teams from 1993-96 before returning in January 2011 as the linebackers coach.
He was previously the Panthers’ linebackers coach (2009-10) under then coach John Fox, and has also served as the Texans’ defensive coordinator (2006-08), under Kubiak.
