Mike Westhoff

Coaching career

Miami Dolphins

Westhoff was the special teams and tight ends coach for the Miami Dolphins from 1986 to 2000.

New York Jets

Westhoff joined the Jets staff in 2001.

He stepped down as the special teams coach for the New York Jets in December 2007 after the final game. On September 1, 2008, it was announced Westhoff would return to the Jets' sideline for the 2008 season in an undefined role.

On August 8, 2010, Westhoff received a one-year contract extension. Westhoff remained with the team through 2011, which he announced would likely be his final year with the team. However, on January 26, 2012, the Jets announced that they had given Westhoff a contract extension through the 2012 season. Westhoff officially retired after the 2012 season.

New Orleans Saints

On November 15, 2017, the New Orleans Saints had hired Westhoff to join their special teams coaching staff for the remainder of the 2017 season. The next day, Saints head coach Sean Payton said that Westhoff would be responsible for supervising all the special teams units.

Following the controversial loss in the 2018 NFC Championship game versus the Los Angeles Rams, Westoff appeared on Mike's On radio show with Mike Francesa of WFAN. On the program, he declared the result of that game as "the toughest loss of his long career".

Denver Broncos

Westhoff was hired to be the assistant head coach of the Denver Broncos under new head coach, Sean Payton, on February 25, 2023.

On November 12, 2024, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Westhoff would step down from his position due to health problems related to his vision. Westhoff confirmed the report the next day, releasing a statement assuring fans that while he was okay, the incident was his body giving him a warning which he had to listen to. He concluded his message expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from Broncos fans.

Personal life

In 1988, Westhoff was diagnosed with cancer of the femur in his left leg. Originally, the condition was misdiagnosed and Westhoff was nearly fatally wounded after the doctor accidentally cut one of his arteries. Once the correct diagnosis was made Westhoff underwent ten surgeries to remove the cancer and the bone replacing it with bone grafts, plates, screws and pins. A cracked bone graft in 2007, caused Westhoff to announce his departure from the Jets. In 2008, Westhoff entered the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to undergo a procedure to replace the missing femur with a titanium rod. After vigorous rehabilitation, Westhoff was able to walk again and returned to the Jets' sidelines in September 2008.

Westhoff is a native of the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Westhoff has a son, John.

References

Bibliography

References

1. (2024-11-13). "Broncos assistant coach Mike Westhoff stepping down to deal with health issues, per report".
2. Cimini, Rich. (August 9, 2010). "Mike Westhoff re-ups Jets deal". ESPN.
3. Ryan, p. 133
4. Youngmisuk, Ohm. (December 31, 2007). "Farewell for Mike Westhoff". [[New York Daily News]].
5. Rosenthal, Gregg. (January 26, 2012). "Mike Westhoff will return to Jets". ProFootballTalk.com.
6. Parks, James. (November 15, 2017). "Saints make a sudden coaching hire".
7. Teope, Herbie. (November 16, 2017). "Sean Payton on hiring of special teams guru Mike Westhoff: 'I felt like we needed help'". [[The Times-Picayune]].
8. Waszak, Dennis Jr.. (January 22, 2019). "Mike Westhoff devastated by the missed call - says it was toughest loss of his long career".
9. DiLalla, Aric. (February 25, 2023). "Broncos announce series of coaching hires". DenverBroncos.com.
10. Gordon, Grant. (November 12, 2024). "Broncos asst. head coach Mike Westhoff stepping down to deal with potential health issue". [[National Football League]].
11. Ryan, p. 134
12. Bishop, Greg. (March 9, 2008). "The Bounce Is Returning to Westhoff's Steps". The New York Times.
13. Brennan, Sean. (January 22, 2010). "New York Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff, a cancer survivor, enjoying Super ride of life". New York Daily News.
14. Cole, Jason. (October 12, 2008). "Jets assistant battled through cancer, leg ailments". Yahoo! Sports.
15. Finder, Chuck. (January 11, 2005). "Bethel Park native raises cane as Jets assistant". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.