Mike Westhoff

{{Short description|American football coach (born 1948)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Mike Westhoff | image =  | image_size = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | position = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1948|1|10|mf=y}} | birth_place = Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | high_school = | college = Wichita State | pastcoaching = * Indiana (1974) Graduate assistant * Indiana (1975) Freshman coach * Dayton (1976) Offensive line coach * Indiana State (1977) Defensive line coach & linebackers coach * Northwestern (1978–1980) Offensive line coach * Texas Christian (1981) Offensive line coach * Indianapolis Colts ({{nfly|1982}}–{{nfly|1984}}) Offensive line, tight ends & special teams coach * Arizona Outlaws (1985) Offensive line coach * Miami Dolphins ({{nfly|1986}}–{{nfly|2000}}) Tight ends coach & special teams coach * New York Jets ({{nfly|2001}}–{{nfly|2012}}) Special teams coach * New Orleans Saints ({{nfly|2017}}–{{nfly|2018}}) Special teams coach * Denver Broncos ({{nfly|2023}}–{{nfly|2024}}) Assistant head coach | highlights = | pfrcoach = }}

'''Mike Westhoff''' (born January 10, 1948) is an American former professional football coach who spent a total of 33 seasons coaching in the National Football League (NFL).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Broncos assistant coach Mike Westhoff stepping down to deal with health issues, per report |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/broncos-assistant-coach-mike-westhoff-stepping-down-to-deal-with-health-issues-per-report/ |access-date=2025-07-21 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> He primarily coached special teams for a number of teams, most notably for the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and New Orleans Saints. In 2024, he stepped down from his position as assistant head coach for the Denver Broncos due to health reasons. Westhoff is considered to be among the greatest special teams coaches in league history.<ref name="Westhoff extension">{{Citation|title=Mike Westhoff re-ups Jets deal |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5446922 |publisher=ESPN |author=Cimini, Rich |date=August 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105213237/http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5446922 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=November 9, 2010 }}</ref><ref>Ryan, p. 133</ref>

==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.<ref name="DN">{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/2007/12/31/2007-12-31_farewell_for_mike_westhoff.html | title=Farewell for Mike Westhoff | last=Youngmisuk | first=Ohm | date=December 31, 2007 | work=New York Daily News | access-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Westhoff 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.<ref name="Westhoff extension"/><ref>{{cite web | url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/26/mike-westhoff-will-return-to-jets/ | title=Mike Westhoff will return to Jets | first=Gregg | last=Rosenthal | publisher=ProFootballTalk.com | date=January 26, 2012 | access-date=April 24, 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://247sports.com/nfl/new-orleans-saints/article/new-orleans-saints-hire-mike-westhoff-to-special-teams-coaching-position-110531548/ | title=Saints make a sudden coaching hire | website=247Sports | first=James | last=Parks | date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> The next day, Saints head coach Sean Payton said that Westhoff would be responsible for supervising all the special teams units.<ref>{{cite web | first=Herbie | last=Teope | url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_4613a0ff-9434-5389-bb40-903cd8ee8273.html | title=Sean Payton on hiring of special teams guru Mike Westhoff: 'I felt like we needed help' | work=The Times-Picayune | location=New Orleans | date=November 16, 2017}}</ref>

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".<ref>{{cite web | first=Dennis Jr. | last=Waszak | title=Mike Westhoff devastated by the missed call - says it was toughest loss of his long career | date=January 22, 2019 | website=Twitter | url=https://twitter.com/DWAZ73/status/1087808453953884160}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-announce-series-of-coaching-hires|title=Broncos announce series of coaching hires|work=DenverBroncos.com|date=February 25, 2023|access-date=February 25, 2023|first=Aric|last=DiLalla}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gordon|first=Grant|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-asst-head-coach-mike-westhoff-stepping-down-to-deal-with-potential-health-issue|title=Broncos asst. head coach Mike Westhoff stepping down to deal with potential health issue|publisher=National Football League|date=November 12, 2024|access-date=January 13, 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life== In 1988, Westhoff was diagnosed with cancer of the femur in his left leg.<ref name="Cancer battle">Ryan, p. 134</ref> Originally, the condition was misdiagnosed and Westhoff was nearly fatally wounded after the doctor accidentally cut one of his arteries.<ref name="Cancer battle"/> 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.<ref name="Cancer battle"/><ref name="Bounce">{{Citation|title=The Bounce Is Returning to Westhoff's Steps |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/sports/football/09westhoff.html |work=The New York Times |author=Bishop, Greg |date=March 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106033519/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/sports/football/09westhoff.html |archive-date=January 6, 2018 |access-date=May 11, 2011 }}</ref> A cracked bone graft in 2007, caused Westhoff to announce his departure from the Jets.<ref>{{Citation|title=New York Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff, a cancer survivor, enjoying Super ride of life |url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-01-22/sports/17944494_1_mike-westhoff-jets-training-facility-cancer-survivor |work=New York Daily News |author=Brennan, Sean |date=January 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509211557/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-01-22/sports/17944494_1_mike-westhoff-jets-training-facility-cancer-survivor |archive-date=May 9, 2012 |access-date=May 11, 2011 }}</ref> In 2008, Westhoff entered the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center to undergo a procedure to replace the missing femur with a titanium rod.<ref name="Cancer battle"/> After vigorous rehabilitation, Westhoff was able to walk again and returned to the Jets' sidelines in September 2008.<ref>{{Citation|title=Jets assistant battled through cancer, leg ailments |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-westhoffhealth101209 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |author=Cole, Jason |date=October 12, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025214701/http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=jc-westhoffhealth101209 |archive-date=October 25, 2012 |access-date=May 11, 2011 }}</ref>

Westhoff is a native of the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.<ref>{{Citation|title=Bethel Park native raises cane as Jets assistant |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05011/440231.stm |publisher=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |author=Finder, Chuck |date=January 11, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522032022/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05011/440231.stm |archive-date=May 22, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2010 }}</ref> Westhoff has a son, John.<ref name="Bounce"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Bibliography== *{{cite book|author1=Ryan, Rex|author2=Don Yaeger|title=Play Like You Mean It: Passion, Laughs, and Leadership In the World's Most Beautiful Game|publisher=Doubleday|location=New York, New York|year=2011|isbn=978-0-385-53444-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/playlikeyoumeani00ryan}}

==External links== *[http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/coaches/mike-westhoff/574e5791-8f5a-427c-b52c-c25679546645 New York Jets bio]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Westhoff, Mike}} Category:Living people Category:Miami Dolphins coaches Category:New York Jets coaches Category:People from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania Category:1948 births Category:Coaches of American football from Pennsylvania Category:Indiana Hoosiers football coaches Category:Dayton Flyers football coaches Category:Indiana State Sycamores football coaches Category:Northwestern Wildcats football coaches Category:TCU Horned Frogs football coaches Category:Indianapolis Colts coaches Category:Arizona Outlaws coaches Category:New Orleans Saints coaches Category:Denver Broncos coaches