The Denver Broncos announced Wednesday they have parted ways with assistant coach Michael Wilhoite.
“After thorough discussions as an organization, I met with Michael Wilhoite and informed him we have decided to part ways,” head coach Sean Payton said in a statement released to media members, including The Athletic. “We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time.“I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.”
Here is the statement from Broncos coach Sean Payton after the team fired assistant Michael Wilhoite in the wake of his arrest for suspicion of assaulting a police officer last month: pic.twitter.com/n82newL6fJ
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) March 6, 2025
Wilhoite, 38, was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of second-degree assault of a police officer.
The alleged incident occurred at an arrivals area of Denver International Airport. According to a probable cause statement, Wilhoite left his vehicle unattended. When he returned to the vehicle, the officer approached Wilhoite and told him he could not leave his vehicle unattended. Wilhoite twice told the officer to “shut the f— up,” the statement said.
After Wilhoite approached the officer in an “aggressive manner” and bumped the officer’s chest, the officer shoved Wilhoite away. Wilhoite then punched the officer with a closed fist, according to the statement. Wilhoite was then tased “for 5 seconds” before getting into his car and driving away, the statement said.
A day later, the Broncos released a statement saying they were aware of the incident and were gathering information.
Wilhoite played in the NFL as a linebacker from 2011-2017 for the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. He had worked for the Broncos as an assistant coach for the past two seasons. He previously worked for Payton as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
