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NFL coaching hires: Who succeeded, who failed?

By Brad Berreman

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach Doug Marrone in the fourth quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field. The Carolina Panthers won 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach Doug Marrone in the fourth quarter of their game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field. The Carolina Panthers won 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos

The Broncos were forced to search for a new head coach when Gary Kubiak retired after the season. As soon as the Miami Dolphins were eliminated from the playoffs, they interviewed and hired Joseph.

Joseph served as Dolphins’ defense coordinator for just one season. But he has a solid resume as a defensive backs coach and the Broncos interviewed him prior to hiring Kubiak two years ago.

Joseph has reportedly already settled on former Chargers’ head coach Mike McCoy as his offensive coordinator, and a big portion of Kubiak’s coaching staff has been let go.

With one of the best defenses in the NFL in place, and some skill position talent offensively, Joseph has already acknowledged his enviable position among new head coaches in the league. If the quarterback situation can be resolved adequately, via an internal competition or an outside acquisition, the Broncos are not far away from a trip back to the Super Bowl next season.

Next: Blake Bortles: 5 possible replacements in Jacksonville

Joseph’s place atop this list is mostly about the “don’t drive the car off the cliff” element to landing with the Broncos. But he is clearly a rising star in coaching circles, who appears to know what he doesn’t know about the side of the ball he isn’t as familiar with.

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