Broncos clean house after opting to retain Vance Joseph as head coach

After what Denver Broncos general manager John Elway called a productive meeting Monday morning with Vance Joseph, it was revealed the head coach would be retained for at least the 2018 season.

However, while Joseph remains with the club, the Broncos brass has taken aim at a number of members of the team’s coaching staff, cleaning house after a dismal 5-11 season in 2017.

Below is a running list of the personnel moves the Broncos have made thus far:

Eric Studesville – running backs/assistant head coach

The longest-tenured coach on the Broncos staff, Studesville spent eight seasons as Denver’s running backs coach, along with stints as assistant head coach (2017) and interim head coach (Weeks 14-17 of 2010 after the firing of then-head coach Josh McDaniels).

During his time in Denver, Studesville coached three running backs to 1,000-yard seasons — Willis McGahee (2011), Knowshon Morendo (2013), and C.J. Anderson (2017).

Studesville also served under four administrations of head coach during his eight seasons in Denver, including McDaniels, John Fox, Gary Kubiak, and most-recently Joseph.

Sad to see my guy go wish I coulda done more 4 my guy, so thankful to be coach by an amazing man better coach. Taught me so much I have been successful because of coach E. Thanks coach I will miss you I think it’s wrong but understand the biz. Good luck E I know you will be solid

— Cj Anderson (@cjandersonb22) January 1, 2018

Jeff Davidson – offensive line coach

A coaching veteran of more than two decades, Davidson joined the Broncos staff last January as the offensive line coach.

The previous season, Davidson had coached the offensive line for the San Diego Chargers under then-head coach Mike McCoy. The Broncos offensive coordinator from 2010-2012, McCoy returned to the position after being let go by the Chargers but would subsequently be fired midway through the 2017 season.

In 2017, Davidson’s offensive lines gave up 52 sacks, tied for third-worst in the NFL behind only the Indianapolis Colts (56) and Houston Texans (54).

Tyke Tolbert – wide receivers coach

The second-longest tenured coach on Denver’s staff, trailing only Studesville, Tolbert joined the Broncos in January 2011 along with newly-hired head coach John Fox.

During that time, Tolbert coached Demaryius Thomas to five consecutive Pro Bowls (2012-2016) and Emmanuel Sanders to Pro Bowl appearances in 2014 and 2016. Thomas also eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark each season since 2012 until this year, when he fell short by 51 yards.

One receiver when told Tolbert let go. “Damn!”  Tolbert was well-respected by players. Good coach. He will land somewhere. #Denver7

— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) January 1, 2018

Brock Olivo – special teams coordinator

Olivo departs the Broncos after just one season as the team’s special teams coordinator after spending three seasons under the tutelage of Dave Toub, who holds the same position for the Kansas City Chiefs.

From 2014-2016, Kansas City ranked among the best special teams units in the NFL.

However, that expertise failed to carry over to Denver’s unit in 2017, which featured a returner in Isaiah McKenzie who fumbled six times and a kicking game that featured the seventh-worst field goal percentage in the NFL (75 percent) and 10th-fewest yards per punt (44.2).

Fred Pagac – outside linebackers coach

A 16-year veteran NFL linebackers coach, Pagac entered the 2017 season with nearly four decades of experience among the pro and college ranks.

In 2015, Pagac’s first season with the Broncos, the Denver outside linebacker tandem of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware combined for a league-leading 52 sacks to go with Shaquil Barrett’s 5.5 sacks and Shane Ray’s 4 sacks. That season, Denver’s top-ranked defense help spur the Broncos to a Super Bowl 50 win.

Last season, Pagac coached Ray and Miller to a combined 21.5 sacks (second-most in the league), with the latter linebacker earning 13.5 himself and a runner-up finish in the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year running.

After Sunday’s season finale, Miller said:

“Personally, for me, coach ‘Pug’ has been one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. (Chargers linebackers) coach (Richard) Smith and coach Pug are right there together. It will be unfortunate to let coach Pug leave. I feel like he’s a part of me. Coach Pug, I’ve been working with him and he’s really seen me develop as a player. He knows me. It’s not in my hands.”

Johnnie Lynn – assistant defensive backs coach

A 28-year veteran of the NFL — both playing and coaching — Lynn’s first and only season with the Broncos was 2017.

Previously, Lynn had coached the defensive backs for several teams, the Oakland Raiders (2012-’14), Philadelphia Eagles (2011), Baltimore Ravens (2004-’05), New York Giants (1997-2001), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-’95), and two stints with the San Francisco 49ers (2006-’10, 1996). In his second go-round in the Bay Area, Lynn coached alongside Denver head coach Vance Joseph.

In 2017, the Broncos secondary gave up the fourth fewest yards (3,210) but gave up 29 touchdowns (28th in the NFL) and had just 10 interceptions (24th).

Mike McCoy – offensive coordinator

After being let go by the San Diego Chargers after four years as the team’s head coach (2013-’16), offensive coordinator Mike McCoy rejoined the Broncos staff at the same position he held with the team from 2009 to 2012.

McCoy’s second stint with Denver, however, was short-lived, as he was let go after a Week 11 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals following the Broncos six consecutive loss.

After Sunday’s season finale, running back C.J. Anderson said the players, not the coaching staff, shouldered the blame for the 5-11 season, specifically naming McCoy in his remarks.

“That is on us. That is on players. I highly put myself on that, just not doing enough. It was the same way with coach Mike McCoy. It is just on us not doing enough,” Anderson said. “We put all of our coaches in hard situations.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.