Denver Broncos Fire Coach Michael Wilhoite After His Arrest for Allegedly Punching a Police Officer

Mar. 15, 2025

Michael Wilhoite.Photo:Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Denver Broncos Outside Linebackers Coach Michael Wilhoite works with players before the NFL Preseason game between the Denver Broncos and the Indianapolis Colts

Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty

Linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite has been fired from theDenver Broncosafter he wasarrested and charged with second-degree assaultfor allegedly punching a police officer on Feb. 23.

Just over a week after news broke of the arrest, Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed Wilhoite’s future with the team in a statement released on Wednesday, March 5.

“We recognize the serious nature of the allegations against him and believe this is the best course of action at this time,” he continued. “I appreciate Michael’s contributions to the Broncos and am confident he will move forward in a positive direction.''

Michael Wilhoite.Kyusung Gong/AP

Denver Broncos outside linebacker coach Michael Wilhoite walks back to the locker room after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif.

Kyusung Gong/AP

PEOPLE has reached out to the Denver Broncos for comment.

When a police officer, who was on a curb assignment, informed Wilhoite that he couldn’t leave his vehicle unattended, Wilhoite, 38, reportedly told the officer to “Shut the f— up,” per the police report. The second time the officer gave a warning about the vehicle, Wilhoite repeated the statement and “bumped his chest” into the officer, according to police.

The Denver Broncos logo on a helmet in November 2024.G Fiume/Getty

A view of the Denver Broncos logo on a helmet

G Fiume/Getty

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Payton was also asked about Wilhoite’s arrest at a scouting combine last week, and he told reporters that the Broncos had been in contact with law enforcement officials and the NFL over the incident and the team, per ESPN. Payton added that the team would follow “proper protocols and channels'' when it came to making a decision on Wilhoite’s future with the team.

Wilhoite has been released on bond and is due to appear in court on March 10, per the Denver County Court.

The assistant coach, who is from Kansas, joined the Broncos two years ago, according to theteam’s website.

During five of his six years as a linebacker in the NFL, Wilhoite played for the San Francisco 49ers. Before joining the Broncos, Wilhoite served as the linebackers coach for the L.A. Chargers from 2021-2022.

source: people.com