Denver Broncos: “On behalf of our owner and organization, I want to thank Nathaniel Hackett for his dedication as head coach of the Denver Broncos. We sincerely appreciate Nathaniel’s efforts and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
The Denver Broncos fired head coach Nathaniel Hackett after a 51-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Christmas Day.
Owner and CEO Greg Penner said he would lead the search for a new coach, assisted by CEO George Paton, whom he expressed confidence in Monday when announcing Hackett’s dismissal.
The sacking of Hackett with two games remaining in a lost season allows Penner to immediately start looking for a replacement.
Last summer, the Walton-Penner Group acquired the Broncos for $4.65 billion, a world record for a professional sports franchise.
On Sunday, the Broncos (4-11) lost to an equally downtrodden Los Angeles Rams 51-14 when Russell Wilson threw three interceptions and was fired six times.
In the game, there was a sidebar between bench QB Brett Ripien and defenseman Dalton Risner, and pass rusher Randy Gregory hit a Rams player after the game.
Wilson had a terrible first season in Denver after the Broncos sent four premium draft picks and three players to Seattle in exchange for a nine-time professional bowler.
Wilson has 12 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and 49 sacks in 13 starts and has not been able to overcome the season’s slump.
Hackett replaced Vic Fangio last January but failed to build an offense to suit Wilson. The Broncos have missed the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons and extended their losing streak to six.
