Ben Kotwica’s tenure as the special teams coordinator for the Denver Broncos has come to an abrupt end following a season marked by both notable successes and critical failures. On January 17, 2025, the Broncos announced his dismissal after two years in the role, a decision that surprised many given the overall performance of the special teams unit during his leadership.
Performance Overview
Under Kotwica’s guidance, the Broncos’ special teams showed significant improvement. They finished first in the NFL for punt return average at 15.7 yards and ranked seventh in net punting average. Additionally, Marvin Mims Jr. earned All-Pro honors as a returner, highlighting the effectiveness of the unit
However, despite these achievements, a couple of high-profile mistakes loomed large over Kotwica’s record.
Key Failures
The most glaring failure occurred during a pivotal Week 10 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. In a closely contested game, a blocked field goal attempt by Wil Lutz in the final moments allowed Kansas City to secure a narrow 16-14 victory. This incident not only cost the Broncos a crucial win but also exposed vulnerabilities in their special teams setup. The Chiefs exploited weaknesses on the left side of the line, leading to a disastrous play that ultimately overshadowed Kotwica’s accomplishments
These missteps were critical in shaping perceptions of Kotwica’s effectiveness as a coordinator.
Coaching Changes and Future Prospects
The decision to fire Kotwica appears to be part of a broader strategy by head coach Sean Payton to overhaul the coaching staff following an underwhelming postseason performance. With former New Orleans Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi available, speculation suggests he may be a leading candidate to replace Kotwica
. Payton’s recent comments about evaluating coaching roles indicate that further changes could be on the horizon as he seeks to strengthen the team’s performance heading into the next season.In summary, while Ben Kotwica’s special teams unit achieved impressive metrics during his tenure, critical failures in high-stakes situations ultimately led to his dismissal. The Broncos’ management now faces the challenge of finding a new coordinator who can build on the strengths established under Kotwica while addressing the vulnerabilities that were exposed during crucial moments of the season.
