Just a couple of days after the sad passing of Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Bob Avellini, there has been another sad passing, this time for a legendary coach in the AFC.
The Denver Broncos announced the passing of former defensive coordinator Joe Collier, who died Monday night at his home in Littleton, Colo., at the age of 91. Collier was the leader and architect of Denver’s “Orange Crush” defense, spent 20 seasons on the Broncos’ coaching staff… pic.twitter.com/52Ccp6IOFt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 7, 2024
Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator Died At Home Aged 91
Joe Collier spent nearly 20 years on the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff, an incredible 16 of which were as defensive coordinator.
Collier was the architect of the “Orange Crush” 3-4 defense of the mid 1970s, and became most prominent in 1977 where the soda-named defense lead the Broncos to Super Bowl XII, where they lost to the NFC Champions, Dallas Cowboys.
The Denver Broncos released a heartfelt statement about one of the team’s longest termed and most creative coaches in the franchise’s storied history.
“The architect of the famed Orange Crush defense, Joe Collier is one of the most impactful coaches in the history of the Denver Broncos and regarded among the best defensive coordinators of all-time.
He was an innovator in the NFL with his 3-4 defense, helping the Broncos to three Super Bowl appearances during a legendary career with our franchise that spanned more than two decades. Intelligent, modest and soft-spoken, Collier provided steady leadership to five different head coaches as the Broncos emerged as perennial contenders in the 1970s and 1980s.
His profound influence on countless players and coaches in Denver included 12 Broncos Ring of Famers, 11 Pro Bowl selections and 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Randy Gradishar.”
Joe Collier Never Managed To Collect The Ultimate Prize
Although Collier spent 5 years in Denver with Hall of Fame quarterback and 2 x Super Bowl champion, John Elway, he never managed to collect a ring before getting fired by eventual Super Bowl winner, Mike Shanahan’s predecessor, Dan Reeves, after the 1988 season.
Unbelievably, he survived 5 different head coaching regime changes, which seems like an almost unspeakably impressive feat given the amount of turnover seen in assistant (and head) coaches in this day and age.
Thankfully, Collier died peacefully and at home with his family, and left a legacy that fundamentally impacted the legacy of football, RIP to a legend.
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