Vance Joseph: NFL Coach Biography

Background and Playing Career
Vance Joseph, born September 20, 1972, in Marrero, Louisiana, is an accomplished football coach and former player. Joseph played college football as a quarterback and running back for the University of Colorado Buffaloes from 1990 to
1994. While he did not play quarterback beyond college, his athleticism and football IQ were evident throughout his college career. He briefly spent time in the NFL as a defensive back, signing with the New York Jets (1995) and Indianapolis Colts (1996), though he appeared in only a handful of games and primarily contributed on special teams. Coaching Career
Vance Joseph began his coaching journey soon after his playing days ended. He started as a graduate assistant at Colorado, then became a defensive backs coach at Wyoming (2002), Colorado (2002-2003), Bowling Green (2004), and then returned to Colorado in
2005. His break into the NFL coaching ranks came with the San Francisco 49ers, where he served as a defensive backs coach from 2005 to
2010.

• San Francisco 49ers (2005–2010): Defensive Backs Coach
• Houston Texans (2011–2013): Defensive Backs Coach
• Cincinnati Bengals (2014–2015): Defensive Backs Coach
• Miami Dolphins (2016): Defensive Coordinator
• Denver Broncos (2017–2018): Head Coach
• Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022): Defensive Coordinator
• Denver Broncos (2023–present): Defensive Coordinator

Head Coaching & Notable Achievements
Vance Joseph was hired as the head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2017, making him the first African-American head coach in franchise history. He coached the Broncos for two seasons (2017-2018) and posted an overall record of 11-
21. While his tenure as head coach was brief, Joseph is widely respected for his defensive acumen and leadership qualities. After Denver, Joseph revitalized his career as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals, where he helped develop one of the league's most aggressive and creative defenses. In 2023, Joseph returned to the Denver Broncos as their defensive coordinator. Coaching Style and Legacy
Vance Joseph is known for his expertise in secondary play and for designing pressure-heavy defensive schemes. He is respected throughout the NFL for his player development skills and his adaptability as a coach. While he has yet to win a Super Bowl as a head coach or coordinator, Joseph remains a prominent figure in the league and continues to influence the next generation of NFL defenders.
Interesting Facts

• Joseph is the younger brother of Mickey Joseph, a former Nebraska quarterback and college coach.
• He is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in NFL coaching ranks.
• His playing background as a quarterback gives him a unique perspective as a defensive coach.

Legacy & Career Overview

Vance Joseph: NFL Head Coach - Comprehensive Biography

Vance Joseph is a well-respected name in the National Football League, known for his defensive acumen, leadership, and adaptability. Throughout his decades-long football journey, Joseph has made an impact as both a player and a coach, rising through the ranks to become an NFL head coach and a prominent defensive coordinator. His journey is marked by perseverance, innovation, and a deep commitment to the game of football.

Early Life and Playing Career

Vance Desmond Joseph was born on September 20, 1972, in Marrero, Louisiana. He attended Archbishop Shaw High School, where he emerged as a standout athlete, excelling in football and attracting attention from major college programs. Joseph continued his football journey at the University of Colorado Boulder, playing quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes from 1990–
1994. As a dual-threat quarterback, he was known for his athleticism, intelligence, and leadership qualities, helping guide the Buffaloes to several winning seasons. Over his collegiate career, Joseph tallied 454 passing yards, 7 passing touchdowns, 237 rushing yards, and 4 rushing touchdowns.

Although Joseph was a talented college quarterback, he went undrafted in the 1995 NFL Draft. Still, his passion for the game led him to sign with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, where he transitioned to the defensive back position to increase his chances of making the roster. He spent the 1995 season with the Jets and briefly joined the Indianapolis Colts in
1996. However, his playing career was short-lived, totaling just two NFL games played, as he quickly shifted his focus to the coaching side of the sport.

Coaching Career

Joseph’s coaching career began in 1999 at the University of Colorado, where he worked as a graduate assistant, helping develop defensive backs. He quickly established a reputation as a rising coaching mind, leading to further opportunities:

• University of Wyoming (2002): Defensive Backs Coach
• University of Colorado (2002–2003): Defensive Backs Coach
• Bowling Green (2004): Defensive Backs Coach

In 2005, Joseph made the leap to the NFL, joining the San Francisco 49ers as Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, a role he held until
2010. During his tenure, he helped develop several young defensive backs and was praised for his teaching ability and tactical understanding. He moved on to become the Defensive Backs Coach for the Houston Texans from 2011–2013, where he played a key role in transforming the Texans’ secondary into one of the league’s best units.

His success in Houston led to a similar role with the Cincinnati Bengals (2014–2015). Under Joseph’s guidance, the Bengals' secondary excelled, contributing to the team’s playoff appearances and establishing Joseph as a leading candidate for defensive coordinator and head coaching positions.

Ascension to NFL Head Coach

In 2016, Joseph was hired as the Defensive Coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. His impact was immediate, as the Dolphins’ defense improved in key areas, helping propel the team to its first playoff berth since
2008. Joseph’s work in Miami significantly raised his profile, and after just one season, he was hired as the Head Coach of the Denver Broncos in January
2017.

As the Broncos’ head coach (2017–2018), Joseph inherited a team in transition, following the retirement of legendary quarterback Peyton Manning and the departure of coach Gary Kubiak. Despite high expectations, Joseph’s tenure was marked by challenges, including instability at the quarterback position and roster turnover. The Broncos posted records of 5–11 in 2017 and 6–10 in
2018. After two seasons, Joseph was relieved of his duties, compiling an overall head coaching record of 11–
21.

Return to Defensive Coordinator Roles

Joseph quickly rebounded, becoming the Defensive Coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022) under head coach Kliff Kingsbury. In Arizona, Joseph helped revitalize the Cardinals defense, mentoring young stars like Budda Baker, Byron Murphy, and Isaiah Simmons. The Cardinals defense became known for its aggressive blitz packages and opportunistic playmaking, with Joseph earning praise for his adaptability and leadership.

In 2023, Joseph returned to the Denver Broncos as Defensive Coordinator, rejoining the franchise where he had previously served as head coach. Despite early struggles, the Broncos' defense showed marked improvement over the course of the season.

Coaching Philosophy and Legacy

Vance Joseph is widely respected for his player-friendly approach, strong communication skills, and innovative defensive schemes. He is known for tailoring his defenses to the strengths of his personnel, utilizing creative blitz packages, and fostering a positive locker room environment. Joseph’s journey from undrafted free agent to NFL head coach and top coordinator is a testament to his resilience and football intellect.

Career Highlights and Accomplishments:

• Head Coach, Denver Broncos (2017–2018)
• Defensive Coordinator, Miami Dolphins (2016), Arizona Cardinals (2019–2022), Denver Broncos (2023–present)
• Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, San Francisco 49ers (2005–2010)
• Position coach for multiple NFL playoff teams
• Renowned developer of young talent in the secondary

While Vance Joseph’s head coaching record with the Broncos may not reflect the full measure of his coaching abilities, his continued success as a defensive coordinator and his leadership throughout the league have solidified his reputation as one of the NFL’s most respected defensive minds. As of 2024, Joseph remains a prominent figure in NFL coaching circles, and his ongoing impact on the game is widely recognized by players, coaches, and analysts alike.