Denver Broncos fire coach Michael Wilhoite after allegedly punching police officer

The Denver Broncos fired outside linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite on Wednesday after the 38-year-old was accused of punching a police officer last month at the Denver International Airport. Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed the move to the Denver Post.

“After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways,” Payton said in a statement provided to The Post. “We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time.

“I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.”

According to the Denver Post, local police say Wilhoite, who served as a Denver assistant coach the past two seasons, left a vehicle unattended in the airport arrivals drop-off lane on Feb. 23.

When a uniformed officer approached to tell Wilhoite he couldn’t leave his vehicle there, Wilhoite allegedly told the officer to “Shut the (expletive) up,” according to the arrest affidavit. Wilhoite then allegedly approached and “bumped his chest” into the officer, per the affidavit, prompting the officer to shove Wilhoite to which the former NFL linebacker punched the officer in the face, according to police.

Denver police: Michael Wilhoite punched officer, tased before leaving scene

After knocking the uniformed officer down, Wilhoite returned to his car as the officer deployed his taser, striking Wilhoite near his left hip, according to the affidavit. After a few seconds of being shocked by the taser, Wilhoite got into his car and drove away from the scene.

The officer reportedly had “visible injuries” to his knees, as well as jaw pain, according to the affidavit.

The incident occurred the day before much of the Broncos’ coaching staff was set to travel to Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, according to the Post. Payton first spoke about the incident involving Wilhoite during the Combine. Prior to his run-in with police, and subsequent release by the Broncos, Payton was considering moving Wilhoite to coaching Denver’s inside linebackers, sources told the Post.

Wilhoite, a native of Topeka, Kansas, played seven seasons (2011-17) in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks between 2011-17 after going undrafted out of Washburn. Wilhoite then started his coaching career with the New Orleans Saints under Payton, serving as a special teams and defensive assistant between 2019-20. Wilhoite also served as the Los Angeles Chargers‘ inside linebackers coach from 2021-22 before rejoining Payton’s staff in Denver.