Why Broncos’ Egyro Evero Is Emerging As A Top NFL Coach Candidate

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado — When Ejiro Evero addressed reporters earlier this month ahead of the Broncos’ final regular-season game against the Chargers, he took the time to talk to one of his coaching mentors, Dom. Capers on his defensive staff as a senior consultant.

Evero shares how Capers, who has nearly 40 years of experience in the NFL and was the head coach of the Panthers and Texans, participates every day with the goal of helping coaches and players get better in any way they can. I talked about how He did it “no ego” and provided candid and impactful feedback in direct communication.

If the praise he gave the Capers sounds familiar, it’s almost identical to explaining the coaching style of the 42-year-old Evero, who has become one of the hottest candidates in the NFL hiring cycle this season. is used. Mostly former head coaches with championship-level experience. Evero interviewed the Broncos owner last week and also met with the Colts about the head coaching vacancy. He has an interview scheduled with the Texans on Tuesday, and the Panthers have also requested an interview with Evero this week about a vacancy.

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The wide football-watching world, which frowns at Denver’s 5-12 record, might be surprised by the widespread interest, but no one who’s coached or played Evero this season has. I am not surprised that his work has been noticed.

Broncos safety Justin Simmons said after Denver closed out the season with a win over the Chargers, “I think he deserves that opportunity somewhere.” I could be here for hours just talking about my coach and how great he is.

The final numbers for Denver’s defense in 2022 are a testament to Evero’s coaching talent. The Broncos are 10th in Defensive DVOA, 7th in Defensive EPA, 7th in Yards Allowed Per Game (320), 7th in Opponent Points Per Drive (1.71), and 34.1% in third-down completion percentage. ) and finished 7th in his opponent Red. Zone he ranks fourth in touchdown percentage (51.1%), defensive three-and-out percentage (37.9), and tied for 14th in takeaways (23). Evero believes Denver’s defense has produced these numbers despite a pass rush that was heavily impacted by Randy Gregory’s injury (he only played six games) and Bradley Chubb’s mid-season trade. was able to help

Denver’s front office also failed to realize that a handful of the team’s top defensive players produced career-best seasons in their first year in Evero’s scheme.

Cornerback Pat Sartane II became the youngest First Team All-Pro in team history, recording 2 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 10 passes defended, and an impressive on-field performance against opposing quarterbacks. Half generally shut down. Simmons, who was named a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press, intercepted a career-high six passes in 2022 despite missing five games, making him the first three of his career. Forced a fumble. Linebackers Josie Jewell (128) and Alex Singleton (152) posted career-high tackles. Defensive linemen Dremont Jones (6 1/2), Deshawn Williams (4 1/2) and Mike Purcell (1 1/2) posted career-high total sacks. Evero helped Baron Browning (5 sacks) transition seamlessly from inside his linebacker to edge rusher. He incorporated newcomers Nick Bonit, Damari Mathis, Eioma Wuwazrike and Matt Henningsen into the mix and continued to set a high bar for his unit despite the injury stacking up.

Look around Denver’s defensive roster and wherever you look, you’ll find players who have stepped up in their first season as Evero’s defensive coordinator.

“He’s helped my game so much this year,” Simmons said. “Even when you think you know a lot, you always learn a lot from new minds and new eyes, the way he coaches, the way he influences coaches and assistant coaches in the defensive room. I really appreciate him and his leadership, I learned a lot from him both on and off the field.”

Justin Simmons and Patrick Sartane II earned All-Pro honors in their first season under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. (Ron Chenoy/USA Today)

Since joining the NFL in 2007 as a quality control assistant for the Buccaneers, Evero has worked for some of football’s greatest defensive minds. At Tampa Bay, Evero worked under defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin. The 49ers, Packers and Rams followed, and Evero learned from Vic Fangio, Capers, Wade Phillips and Raheem Morris.

Over the first 15 years of his career, Evero has absorbed bits and pieces of each coach’s unique style, making mental notes about what he will incorporate and let go into his leadership approach when one day runs a defense or team. I took His experience and the process by which he maximizes that benefit has created a unique style of Evero that resonates deeply with the players he has coached this season.

“He has all the qualities a coach should have,” said Sartane, who was also named the starter of the AFC Pro Bowl roster this season. “He’s a great leader, very outspoken, brings a lot of energy into the room and overall a great person. Great guy. You can go for him with anything. On the football field, he’s I’m just going to get out there and bring all my energy. He’ll do his best for the team.”

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When Evero was hired by first-year manager Nathaniel Hackett to be the team’s defensive coordinator in February, members of Denver’s defensive roster were replaced by one Fangio, whose new boss was recognized as the godfather of the two. I was relieved to bring a familiar system to the .It has the look of safety and I’ve used it for the last 3 seasons with the Broncos. However, it didn’t take long for players to notice the difference in schemes in his version of Evero and what they could do. In other words, it gave them the freedom to trust their instincts within the limits of the system.

Jewell, who is in his fifth season in the NFL, said, “This is the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been in the league[while]playing this type of defense and this amount of control.” It’s fun to play for and it’s fun just to hear his insights.[He’s]very vocal about it, talks about every little thing and there’s no misunderstanding.It’s fun to talk to him.He’s fun to talk to. An open book on defense and a great teacher.”

Evero was tested for leadership ability earlier this season in ways beyond his ability to build and call defenses. Denver produced one of his worst seasons in franchise history on the offensive side of the ball. The dismissal of Hackett, Evero’s best friend over the past two decades, after 15 games, was a fiasco. The gap between the team’s defensive and offensive performance created an environment in which the division easily deteriorated, ultimately poisoning the unit. was playing well

At times it was frustrating for the defense, some of which were even in the public eye, but players on the other side of the ball praised Evero for keeping his attention where it needed to be. .

“The biggest thing is what he keeps saying: keep doing our job. That’s the only thing we can do,” said Jewell. “We can get excited[on the offense]and root for them — we do — but the biggest thing is to keep us focused… Please continue to work to the best of our abilities.”

Jerry Rosberg, who became the Broncos’ interim coach for the final two games of the season after Evero declined the opportunity, joined the team in Week 3 of the season as a senior game management consultant. The coach of the .

“His communication skills are at a high level,” says Rosburg. “He’s really good at dealing with coaches and players. He deals directly with them and has a certain level of performance that he expects. These types of coaches have high ceilings because there is a way… You are open to other ideas, but once you decide, ‘This is how it will be’, well, this is how it will be. He has all those qualities.”

Evero’s impact in one season in Denver can best be explained by players clamoring for his return as head coach or defensive coordinator in 2023. If Evero isn’t hired as head coach in this cycle, a strong first step by whoever assumes the role at the Broncos would be to leave Evero with the defense to bring back many key contributors. and Jim Harbaugh, who are working with two other candidates in Denver, who are planning to interview with the Broncos later this week. .

The Broncos want Evero back in some way. However, the team recognizes that the young coach’s scheming and networking talents are no secret.

“You stack those traits,” Satain said. “And you have a great coach.”

(Top photo by Ejiro Evero: RJ Sangosti / MediaNews Group / The Denver Post via Getty Images)