Joe Collier was a longtime NFL coach best known for creating the Denver Broncos’ famed Orange Crush defense, helping lead them to three Super Bowls.
- Died: May 6, 2024 (Who else died on May 6?)
- Details of death: Died in Littleton, Colorado at the age of 91.
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Joe Collier’s legacy
Joe Collier is best known for his illustrious career coaching football, but he was a star athlete himself for a time, setting Big Ten Conference records in 1952 for touchdown passes and receiving yards while at Northwestern University. He was drafted by the New York Giants but opted not to play, instead going into coaching after serving a stint in the U.S. Army.
Collier joined the Buffalo Bills in 1962 as defensive coach, moving to the head coach position in 1966. He led the team to a 9-4-1 record his first year but was let go in 1968 after a bad start. He moved to the Denver Broncos in 1969, where he stayed for the next 20 seasons. Only Mike Shanahan served the team longer. Collier worked under five different head coaches during his time with the Broncos. More importantly, he turned the team into perennial contenders thanks to his “Orange Crush” 3-4 defense strategy. The Broncos went to three Super Bowls during his tenure, and Collier coached 11 Pro Bowl players.
Collier was let go after the 1988 season. He spent two years with the New England Patriots before retiring from the NFL.
Tributes to Joe Collier
Full obituary: ESPN
