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Nathaniel Hackett fired as Denver Broncos coach after latest disappointing performance
By Keith Farner
Published:
Nathaniel Hackett and the Denver Broncos struggled from the outset this season, as the offense behind Russell Wilson never found its stride.
Sunday was the last straw for the Broncos’ ownership, as Hackett was fired following a 51-14 Christmas Day loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Broncos announced on Monday morning. The Broncos dropped to 4-11, and Hackett is now the second straight first-year coach to be fired during the season after Urban Meyer was released at Jacksonville last year, an otherwise unusual event.
“I think (the team) is upset for all the losing,” Hackett told media after the game. “We all are, every one of us. It’s unacceptable, that’s not what we’re about. That’s not what we want to do.”
Owner/CEO Greg Penner released a statement following the firing:
“On behalf of our ownership and organization, I want to thank Nathaniel Hackett for his dedication as head coach of the Denver Broncos. We sincerely appreciate Nathaniel’s efforts and wish him and his family all the best in the future.
“Following extensive conversations with George and our ownership group, we determined a new direction would ultimately be in the best interest of the Broncos. This change was made now out of respect for everyone involved and allows us to immediately begin the search for a new head coach.
We have parted ways with Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett.
A statement from Broncos Owner & CEO Greg Penner: pic.twitter.com/1tWMjHv6em
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 26, 2022
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
