Football - Denver Broncos Hire Jim Bates To Run Def

A day after Larry Coyer, the defensive coordinator, was dismissed, Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan reached a contract agreement with NFL assistant coach Jim Bates to run a unit that collapsed in the second half of the 2006 season.

Details of the contract hare not available though it is very clear that Bates would one the highest paid assistant coaches in NFL. Bates will be designated assistant head coach / defense and the current secondary coach Bob Slowik will be promoted to defensive coordinator. The titles notwithstanding, it is clear that Bates would be incharge of the defense.
Until recently, Bates was serving as the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers in 2005 season. He sat out the 2006 season after reaching a settlement on his contract. After the 2005 season, Bates was interviewed for the position of head coach but the job went to Mick McCarthy. There were some discussions on keeping Bates for McCarthy’s staff but the two did not think it would be a good idea.
Bates has had a long professional career. He has been a defensive coordinator four time and in 2004 he was the interim coach of the Miami Dolphins after Dave Wannstedt resigned. It is a known fact that number of Dolphins’ veterans were lobbying for Bates to be interviewed for Miami’s current opening; unfortunately he did not become a contender.
Bates began his coaching career in 1984 in the USFL. He has served as an NFL staff at Cleveland, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and Green Bay. Bates son, Jeremy, is an offensive assistant on Shanahan’s staff.