The Denver Broncos parted ways with linebacker coach Michael Willhoyt on Wednesday following the arrest of an assistant at the airport last month.
Broncos head coach Sean Payton issued a statement about the move.
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The Denver Broncos outside linebacker coach Michael Willhoyt at a training camp held at the Sentura Health Training Center in Englewood, Colorado, on July 28, 2023. (Isaiah J. Downing – Sports of Today)
“After a thorough discussion as an organization, I met up with Michael Wilhoyt and let him know that we had decided to break up,” Payton said. Via ESPN. “We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this point. I am grateful for Michael's contribution to the Broncos and I am confident that he will move forward in a positive direction.”
Wilhoyt was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of a second-degree attack on a peace officer, prison records show.
Wilhoit left his car abandoned for a while, and the airport officer approached him and said he couldn't do it, KDVR-TV reportedcites the probable cause statement. He reportedly told officers to explicitly shut up.
After being told again about the car's abandonment, Wilhoyt allegedly approached the officer, saying, “in an aggressive way, he slammed his chest into the victim and forced him backwards.”
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Seattle Seahawks Michael Will Wilhoyt, #57, celebrates after tackling the San Francisco 49ers in a punt return late at Sentulle Link Field in Seattle on September 17, 2017. (Steven Bisig-Usa Today Sports)
Wilhoit was pushed away before he was said to have punched the officer in his face. His next court date is March 10th.
Wilhoite was a Washburn undrafted free agent when he won his first taste of NFL action with the San Francisco 49ers in 2012. He played for the 49ers throughout the 2016 season.
He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 and only played for them for one year.
Wilhoyt set his sights on the NFL coaching rank in 2019 when he signed with the New Orleans Saints on the Sean Payton staff as a special team assistant. He then was on the Los Angeles Chargers staff in 2021 with linebacker coach. He was let go after the 2022 season.
In 2023 he rejoined Payton, but with the Broncos.
The Broncos became one of the best defenses in the NFL in 2024 from the bottom teams in the points and yards allowed in 2023.
On October 23, 2016, inside the San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Willhoyt before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. (KelleyLCox-Usa Today Sports)
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Denver made the playoffs but lost to the Buffalo Bills in the wildcard round.
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